Home >> Science & Nature >> Insects & Science

How to Feed a Bee Wax Moth

Wax moths --- also called bee wax moths, greater wax moths or lesser wax moths --- are insects that are a pest in some situations and a benefit in others. Wax moths often infest bee colonies, where they eat honey combs and can cause havoc in the hive. However, many anglers breed wax moths to use the larvae as bait. To feed your bee wax moth worms, you need supplies you can get at the local grocery and pharmacy stores.

Things You'll Need

1-gallon bag (18 1/2 cups) wheat bran
Cookie sheets
Oven
1 cup honey
Mixing bowl
Spoon
7 tbsp. glycerin
Airtight storage container

Instructions

- 1
  Measure out the ingredients. You can make a smaller amount of the recipe by reducing the ingredients listed under Things You'll Need by half or by fourths, depending on the amount of wheat bran you have. For example, dividing the ingredients in fourths means 4 2/3 cups wheat bran, a quarter cup of honey and 1 3/4 tbsp. glycerin.
- 2
  Spread the wheat bran in a thin layer across two cookie sheets. Bake the wheat bran at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. This kills any bacteria or bugs in the wheat bran.
- 3
  Pour the wheat bran into a mixing bowl. Add the honey and glycerin and mix with a spoon until the wheat bran is fully coated. Add more glycerin if you need more liquid to fully coat the wheat bran.
- 4
  Place a cubic inch (1 inch deep by 1 inch wide and 1 inch long) of food on the base of the container where you are keeping the wax worms or wax moths. They find and begin consuming the food.
- 5
  Store excess food in an airtight container in a refrigerator. Replace the food as it is consumed by first warming it in a microwave or in the oven before placing it in the moth container.

Insects & Science