Freeze frames to kill all moth stages

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.

Why It Works

A 24-hour freeze at -15°C reliably destroys all life stages of Galleria mellonella. Research from the USDA Bee Research Laboratory confirms that 24 hours at this temperature achieves 100% mortality. The treatment leaves no residue and does not affect comb structure or stored honey.

Tips

• Seal frames in plastic bags immediately after removing from the freezer to prevent re-infestation
• If your freezer only reaches -7°C (20°F), extend the freeze to 48 hours for complete kill
• Process frames in batches to avoid overloading the freezer, which raises internal temperature
• This method works well for hobbyists with 1-20 frames; larger operations may need a walk-in freezer or alternative approach