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How to Remove Wax Moths

Wax moths are a serious threat to beekeepers. These insects are notorious for entering beehives to lay their eggs. Once hatched, wax moth larvae eat the wax and other parts of the hive, disturbing the bees and permanently destroying the honeycomb by secreting a sticky, weblike substance. You can take steps to prevent wax moth invasions as well as extricate the pests once they have infiltrated a beehive.

Things You'll Need

Screen
1 2 L soda bottle
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1 banana peel

Instructions

- 1
  Make sure the roof of your beehive box fits well, without any cracks or openings. Install a screen over the hive's entrance. Wax moths are typically nocturnal and are most prevalent in the early summer months, so it is at night and during these months that you will want to be sure to keep your hive blocked off to outside invaders.
- 2
  Cut a 1 inch hole in a 2 L soda bottle, under the sloped-neck area. Fill the bottle with 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup vinegar and one banana peel. Allow this mixture to sit for a few days, giving it time to ferment slightly. Hang or tie the bottle to a tree or post near your beehives. The mixture attracts the moths and draws them out from the hives. They enter the hole in the bottle, and then are unable to exit it again, ultimately drowning in the liquid.
- 3
  Burn the beehive and start over again if wax moth larvae have seriously damaged your beehive beyond repair. If you think that your hive may still be salvageable, manually remove any larvae and webs you can find and freeze your beehive for several days. If it is winter and you live in a colder region, this can most easily be done by placing your hive in an unheated outdoor shed, where freezing temperatures will kill any larvae and eggs. Make sure that your beehive will be safe from other invasive pests. Return your beehive to its new position after several days and start over.

Insects & Science