Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: rockink on September 21, 2019, 08:34:10 pm

Title: Moth crystal question
Post by: rockink on September 21, 2019, 08:34:10 pm
My hive I lost early last week has been almost completely robbed out but still a few remaining honeybees and lots of bumblebees.

I'm still not able to freeze them so I have the 3 mediums stacked outside on a pair of 2x4's and a solid cover over the top. The bees are still going in and out but I thought about taking my leftover moth crystals and putting them under the boxes?

They are not sealed but I'm hoping to stop anymore moths from hanging out.

Since there are bees still around would it hurt anything?

Thanks,
Ken

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Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: Ben Framed on September 21, 2019, 09:13:21 pm
My hive I lost early last week has been almost completely robbed out but still a few remaining honeybees and lots of bumblebees.

I'm still not able to freeze them so I have the 3 mediums stacked outside on a pair of 2x4's and a solid cover over the top. The bees are still going in and out but I thought about taking my leftover moth crystals and putting them under the boxes?

They are not sealed but I'm hoping to stop anymore moths from hanging out.

Since there are bees still around would it hurt anything?

Thanks,
Ken

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Ken, Sams has a small box type freezer for around $150.00  The bees should have robbed all the honey out by now?
Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: rockink on September 21, 2019, 09:26:34 pm
It's not a lack of freezers. I promise. I have 4 of them which includes the one I borrowed from my neighbors for a honey super and other frames. I just don't have enough room and looking for other solutions to deter them. These 3 boxes are going to be trashed and most of the frames as well. I will reclaim the Rite-Cell and put in new frames this winter.

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Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: iddee on September 21, 2019, 09:59:31 pm
I would go ahead and trash them and shake out the bees. Let them take up with other hives.
Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: rockink on September 21, 2019, 10:10:44 pm
Thank you. I will be able to but not for another week or so. I was looking for an interim solution.

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Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: iddee on September 21, 2019, 10:34:38 pm
Why not now. I would just shake them out and place them in the sun to be robbed out, then put them away for the winter. Unless there is more to the story than you are telling.
Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: rockink on September 21, 2019, 10:54:53 pm
I told the story in my first post of this thread. They have been robbing them out for 5 days now and I'm going to be out of town and wanted to keep more moths from moving in until I can get to those frames in a week.

I have left over moth crystals and was going to put them to work and I just wanted to make sure if bees fly in and out it won't hurt them.

My post last week when I found the hive is called "Wax Moth Crisis....please help!"

Thanks,
Ken



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Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: BeeMaster2 on September 21, 2019, 10:55:23 pm
Moth crystals will kill bees. If you do protect the frames with crystals, you will need to air them out for at least 4 days before putting them in a hive.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: rockink on September 21, 2019, 11:02:09 pm
Thank you. I have my supers protected in a nearby shed with crystals but these frames I'm referring to are just sitting out in my yard, I will just let nature take its course and deal with them when I can.

Thank you everyone,
Ken

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Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: Ben Framed on September 22, 2019, 03:30:54 am
Thank you. I have my supers protected in a nearby shed with crystals but these frames I'm referring to are just sitting out in my yard, I will just let nature take its course and deal with them when I can.

Thank you everyone,
Ken

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Rock, do you happen to know a fellow named Mike Baker that lives at the Lake of the Ozarks? He is quite a fisherman.
Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: rockink on September 22, 2019, 09:42:06 am
I'm sorry I don't. I do love to crappie fish though! :)

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Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: Ben Framed on September 22, 2019, 11:05:55 am
I'm sorry I don't. I do love to crappie fish though! :)

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Thank you. I have my supers protected in a nearby shed with crystals but these frames I'm referring to are just sitting out in my yard, I will just let nature take its course and deal with them when I can.

Thank you everyone,
Ken

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Rock, do you happen to know a fellow named Mike Baker that lives at the Lake of the Ozarks? He is quite a fisherman.

I do not know him personally. He makes videos of his fishing adventures there at Lake of the Ozarks, and very good ones at that! I enjoy watching one of his videos for time to time. I would suggest you look him up and have some fun together. While your at it Mr Van might want to join in! Your Lake and its surrounding borders are beautiful! I spent a lot of time in Arkansas as a child, camping and boating on its many Lakes and Rivers.  Its no wonder they call Arkansas ''Arkansas The Beautiful''
 Phillip
Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: Dallasbeek on September 23, 2019, 09:42:47 am
Moth crystals will kill bees. If you do protect the frames with crystals, you will need to air them out for at least 4 days before putting them in a hive.
Jim Altmiller

Jim, when you pull frames out to air out that have been protected by crystals, will the moths be able to attack them during that airing out period?
Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: Ben Framed on September 23, 2019, 11:31:50 am
Moth crystals will kill bees. If you do protect the frames with crystals, you will need to air them out for at least 4 days before putting them in a hive.
Jim Altmiller

Jim, when you pull frames out to air out that have been protected by crystals, will the moths be able to attack them during that airing out period?

Good question, and, will the honey have a hint of a mothball taste?
Title: Re: Moth crystal question
Post by: BeeMaster2 on September 23, 2019, 01:16:37 pm
I have not had any problems but I air out my frames for a week or more, until needed, with a fan on them. Moths do not like airy frames. I suspect that the eggs would dry out.
Jim Altmiller