Freeze combs to kill all moth stages

Place stored combs in a chest freezer at -15°C (5°F) or colder for a minimum of 48 hours. This kills wax moth eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults without chemicals. After freezing, seal combs in plastic bags or airtight bins to prevent reinfestation.

Why It Works

Prolonged sub-zero temperatures destroy cells in all wax moth life stages. Research from the USDA Bee Research Laboratory confirms that 48 hours at -15°C achieves 100% mortality, including cold-hardy eggs. Freezing leaves no chemical residue on comb or honey.

Tips

• Standard kitchen freezers (-18°C / 0°F) work well; verify temperature with a thermometer
• Wrap frames in plastic wrap or place them in heavy-duty garbage bags immediately after removal to prevent condensation and reinfestation
• For large operations, freeze in batches and rotate stock through the freezer between honey harvests
• Combs with pollen are highest priority — wax moth larvae prefer pollen-rich comb over pure beeswax