@homers_honeybee: Wax moths can destroy months of work in a matter of weeks. 🐛🐝 If you’re removing extra honey supers or storing drawn comb for winter, protecting those frames now can save you a lot of frustration when spring arrives. Wax moth larvae tunnel through comb, leaving behind webbing, debris, and damaged foundation. They’re especially troublesome in stored equipment where there aren’t enough bees to patrol the frames. One preventative we’ve used at Homers Honeybee is Certan B402, a biological wax moth treatment made with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring soil bacterium. Here’s how it works: newly hatched wax moth larvae feed on treated comb and ingest Bt proteins that damage their digestive system. They stop feeding before they can cause extensive damage. Unlike fumigants, B402 is applied directly to stored comb. It’s intended to control susceptible wax moth larvae, not adult moths or eggs, and it won’t repair frames that are already destroyed. For the product shown, the label calls for a 5% dilution: 1 part B402 to 19 parts water. Spray both sides of the frames evenly, allow them to dry, and follow the label for storage, protective equipment, and how quickly to use the mixed solution. B402 is a biological pesticide, but that doesn’t automatically make it certified organic. It’s considered compatible with honeybees when used as directed, though that doesn’t mean the concentrate should be handled without precautions. And remember: wax moths inside an occupied hive often point to a colony that’s already weak. Treating stored frames doesn’t solve that underlying problem. 💬 Have you ever lost drawn comb to wax moths? Find Certan B402 at HomersHoneybee. com and follow for practical beekeeping tips. #beekeeping #BeekeepingTips #beekeepers #backyardbeekeeping #Honeybees

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Wednesday 21 October 2026 18:57:21 GMT