by Flow Hive 4 min read
There are two primary species of wax moths that can infest a European honey bee hive — the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), and the lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella).
Wax moths can play a highly beneficial role in the environment because they naturally eliminate old combs after a colony abandons a hive or dies out. However, these moths can also infiltrate apiaries and cause significant damage to colonies, hives and overall honey and comb-yielding potential.
Once an infestation occurs, moths can generally be identified in both living colonies as well as stored combs. In most cases, stored combs carry a greater risk of infestation. And this infestation can render comb and honey unusable and inappropriate for sale.
In many cases, wax moths are spread among colonies through unmonitored honeycomb storage. The moths will typically prefer infesting stored combs that are not actively populated by bees. When keepers transport these combs between colonies, they can accidentally spread larvae to other hives.
Additionally, dark or unmonitored hives can quickly lead to an infestation situation. The moths prefer darker areas, so hives without regular access to sunlight tend to be more susceptible. All it takes is one moth to enter a hive, lay eggs and hatch larvae to infiltrate a colony. As these hatchlings consume comb and grow, they will quickly increase in number.
In minor infestations, manual identification of moth larvae in hives is the simplest method to eliminate them. Beekeepers can identify the larvae which typically present in frames (with webbing and other signs often visible). Directly finding and removing these larvae can fully eliminate the threat of continued infestation.
There are two primary species of wax moths that can infest a European honey bee hive — the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), and the lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella).
Wax moths can play a highly beneficial role in the environment because they naturally eliminate old combs after a colony abandons a hive or dies out. However, these moths can also infiltrate apiaries and cause significant damage to colonies, hives and overall honey and comb-yielding potential.
Once an infestation occurs, moths can generally be identified in both living colonies as well as stored combs. In most cases, stored combs carry a greater risk of infestation. And this infestation can render comb and honey unusable and inappropriate for sale.
A large amount of anecdotal evidence showcases various methods to eradicate wax moths from the hive.
One example is to take a 2-litre soft drink bottle with the cap on and drill a small hole (about 2.5 cm) near the slope of the bottle neck. From there, the bottle should be filled with 1 cup each of water and sugar, ½ cup of vinegar and a banana peel.
After this formula ferments (usually in 1-2 days), the bottle should be tied to a nearby tree or other item to draw moths into the trap. Over time the moths will enter the bottle trap and eventually drown.
If prior methods have failed to eliminate infestation, use of chemicals may be necessary to remove wax moths from a colony. The most commonly used chemical agent to address wax moths is Paradiclorobenzene (PDB). PDB is a fumigant which can be used to help protect stored honeycombs from wax moth devastation.
While this chemical agent is relatively safe for continued bee operation, please note that it should not be used on honey or combs meant for human consumption. This is a significant down-side to this treatment method. Accordingly, it should only be used when other environmentally-conscious methods have been exhausted.
In extreme cases, burning of hive containers may be necessary to fully eliminate infestation. Sometimes this may include requeening to ensure strong breeding will continue to rebuild bee population (and comb/honey production).
Like many other diseases, parasites and infestations, preventing wax moths often boils down to maintaining a strong, healthy colony. Healthy colonies with large honey bee populations can naturally identify and eject wax moth larvae themselves. By keeping the hive robust, beekeepers can potentially avoid an infestation like this altogether.
Strong colonies also directly connect with responsible, sanitary apiary husbandry. Beekeepers must maintain a strict level of control regarding equipment, hives and related items. This also holds true for untreated wax, old combs and similar hive components. Maintaining a clean environment can always help to prevent the direct infestation (and ongoing spread) of this pest.
Detecting wax moths is often as easy as opening up the hive and visually identifying larvae present in the comb. Larvae will typically tunnel within hive frames while leaving multiple telltale signs (including webbing).
Beekeepers need to understand the specifics of wax moth larvae to prevent misidentification. In their larval stage, these insects look very similar to another beekeeper pest known as the small hive beetle.
The distinguishing features of wax moth larvae include three sets of thoracic legs on the back end of their body. Additionally, they also have sets of uniform legs across the rest of their bodies. The larvae also have a fleshy body. Conversely, small hive beetles only contain the thoracic legs without additional legs present on the larvae.
Their bodies are also more rigid and harder than their moth counterparts.
Wax moth larvae will produce a silky web that spreads across the hive. This includes both honeycombs and larval cells. Webbing and related waste on the comb can render it unusable for extraction or sale. The presence of webbing prevents the emergence of bees from cells — causing larval/ hatchling death and population decline within the hive.
Beekeeping requires specialist skills, carries inherent dangers, and is often subject to regulation. Instructional content we provide is intended as a general guide only and may not be applicable to your specific circumstances.
If in doubt, seek assistance from your local authority, a professional beekeeping service or your nearest beekeeping association.
• Recommended for beekeeping in cold climates
• More room in the brood box which can lead to a larger bee colony
• An extra Flow Frame in the super for higher potential honey yield
• 10-frame Langstroth sizing
• Harvest 21kg (46 lb) when your Flow Super is full
• Our most popular Flow Hive size around the world
• A slightly lighter option for easier lifting
• 8-frame Langstroth sizing
• Harvest 18kg (40 lb) when your Flow Super is full
Control the height and level of your hive perfectly, even on uneven ground, ensuring the ultimate slope for honey harvesting.
Keep your hive level to aid in straight foundationless brood comb formation
Keep your hive dry and off the ground, preventing ground dwelling pests from gaining easy access.
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Control the height and level of your hive perfectly, even on uneven ground, ensuring the ultimate slope for honey harvesting.
Keep your hive level to aid in straight foundationless brood comb formation
Keep your hive dry and off the ground, preventing ground dwelling pests from gaining easy access.
Choose the size and model that matches your Flow Hive
8 Frame Brood Boxes are compatible with 6 Frame Flow Hives.
10 Frame Brood Boxes are compatible with 7 Frame Flow Hives.
If you need assistance in understanding which model Flow Hive you have, please contact support.
Bee suits are designed to be worn slightly baggy over your normal clothing, so it’s best to choose a slightly larger size than you would normally wear.
Be sure to give yourself plenty of room to move around with additional length for movement – ankles and wrists need to remain covered when you’re crouching, bending or stretching.
You do not want the suit to be tight fitting – it’s this loose fitting material that offers sting prevention.
If in doubt or between sizes, go up to the next size:
Height (cm) | Weight (kg) | ||||||||||
50 | 56 | 62 | 68 | 74 | 80 | 86 | 92 | 98 | 104 | 110 | |
145 - 150 | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | |||||||
150 - 155 | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | S | M | M | M | |||
155 - 160 | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | S | M | M | M | L | ||
160 - 166 | XS | XS | XS | S | M | M | M | L | XL | XL | |
166 - 171 | XS | S | S | M | M | L | L | L | XL | XL | 2XL |
171 - 176 | M | M | M | M | L | L | L | L | XL | 2XL | 2XL |
176 - 181 | L | L | L | L | L | L | XL | XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL |
181 - 186 | L | L | L | L | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | |
186 - 191 | L | L | L | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
191 - 197 | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | ||
197 - 204 | 2XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | 5XL |
Height (feet) | Weight (lbs) | ||||||||||
110 | 123 | 137 | 150 | 163 | 176 | 190 | 203 | 216 | 229 | 243 | |
4'9" - 4'11" | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | |||||||
4'11" - 5'1" | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | S | M | M | M | |||
5'1" - 5'3" | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | S | M | M | M | L | ||
5'3" - 5'5" | XS | XS | XS | S | M | M | M | L | XL | XL | |
5'5" - 5'7" | XS | S | S | M | M | L | L | L | XL | XL | 2XL |
5'7" - 5'9" | M | M | M | M | L | L | L | L | XL | 2XL | 2XL |
5'9" - 5'11" | L | L | L | L | L | L | XL | XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL |
5'11" - 6'1" | L | L | L | L | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | |
6'1" - 6'3" | L | L | L | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
6'3" - 6'5" | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | ||
6'5" - 6' 7" | 2XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | 5XL |
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Hive
Flow Hive 2 - 6 Frames – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Hive 2 - 7 Frames – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Bee Suit
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 2XS – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - XS – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - S – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - M – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - L – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 2XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 3XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 4XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Bee Suit – Organic Cotton - 5XL – Dispatches in 1-2 working days
Flow Smoker
Flow Smoker – Dispatches in 1-2 working days