Wax moths in stored equipment
Greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae tunnel through stored drawn comb, feeding on beeswax, pollen, and cocoon silk. Unprotected combs can be destroyed within weeks during warm weather (above 25°C / 77°F). Frames with brood residue or pollen are most vulnerable.
- Fumigate with PDB crystals4
Place paradichlorobenzene (PDB) crystals on a paper plate atop stacked supers, then seal the stack with a tarp or tape. The vapors kill wax moth eggs and larvae over 2-3 days. Use approximately 3 oz (85 g) of crystals per 5-super stack and replace every 4-6 weeks during storage.
📌 commercial4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ PDB crystals, paper plates, tarp or packing tape, stacked supers
- Apply BT spray as a biological preventive3
Spray stored combs lightly with a Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai (Bt-a) solution such as Certan or XenTari before stacking them for storage. Bt-a produces a crystal protein toxin that is lethal specifically to wax moth larvae when they ingest treated wax.
📌 commercial📌 organic4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ Bt-a spray (Certan or XenTari), spray bottle or garden sprayer, water
- Freeze frames to kill all moth stages3
Place drawn frames in a chest or upright freezer at -15°C (5°F) or colder for at least 24 hours, then transfer them to sealed plastic bags or bins for storage. This kills wax moth eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults without chemicals.
📌 diy📌 organic4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ Chest or upright freezer, heavy-duty plastic bags or storage bins