AMONGST THE BEES

Shannon News, 8 October 1926, Page 4

AMONGST THE BEES

CONTBOIiMNG WAX MOTHS. (By B, S. Robinson, Departmental Instructor.) , One of the diseases that a beekeeper, has to cope, with is that of the wax moth of which there are twCj, varieties. The large one is Galleria Mellonella and the smaller one Ancharoea Grissella. The favourite liaunt of the grub of these moths are on the the top of the frames under the mat, on the end bars of the frames, and in ever crack or crevice of the hive. It is the larvae or grubs that cause the trouble, by destroying the combs and once they get a strong hold of the hive, will soon completely render every comb unfit for the queen to lily in with the re'sult that the colony soon gets weak and dies out. They usually attack weak colonies especially black beps. With Italian bees there is little trouble to be feared in this retepect so one method of control of this disease is- to Italianise and keep all Colonies, strong . The wax moth will also attack combs that are booing stored. Any-hive that is badly affected with trouble should be burnt. Combs that are badly damaged should be melted down to obtain the -wax. If moths are driven from the hives (by strong colonies of Italian beds as is sometimes the case, they will seek refuge in scraps of comb etc. lying about in the honey house or elsewhere. Therefore it is necessary that ho wax should be left about. Artificial Control. 1 There are two materials used for controlling and destroying this pest, sulphur and carbon bisulphide. When using sulphur, if a fumigating chamber, is not available, an empty super is set upon the ground. , In this (is placed an iron pan containing hot embers. Sulphur is thrown on the embers and the supers containing the affected frames and combs are quickly tiered up five or six high and a cOver placed on the top one. The closer the supers fit the more thorough will be the fumigation. This method does not destroy the eggs but only the larvae pupae, and live moths, so the. process should be repeated in ten to twelve days to allow the eggs which may be present to hatch. The amount of sulphur to ufee is one half ounce to each cubic foot of material to be fumigated. It is also advisable to thoroughly scorch the inside of the supers with 1 a blow lamp even after fumigation. The second method in use KsV fumigation with carbon bisulphide. Carbon bisulphide is an oily liquid very volatile and highly Inflammable. When exposed’tp the air at ordinary temperatures the bisulphide quickly changes to, gas which is heavier and highly explosive. .

AVlien using bisulphide, precaution must be taken to keep away lights of all descriptions, lighted pipes cigarettes, matches etc. and it is 'safest to carry on operations out in the open away from all buildings. With carbon bisulphide, and air mixed; giving a gas somewhat heavier than air, somewhat different proceedure is necessary than when, using sulphur. ■ln this case the supers containing the disease are piled UP five or six high. Paper is pasted round the joints between the supers and over all cracks to render the tier gas tight.' The bottom super, should stand in a flat tightly ..fitting lid or better still, sunk an inch or two in the ground and the earth rammed tightly oround it. An empty super is placed on top of the tier. Into this put a shallow pan or basin. Have a tightly fitting roof Pour the bisulphide into the pan and, quickly place on the roof, leave tho pile for from 12 to ■ 24 hours before disturbing. This method is somewhat better than the .sulphur treatment but it ay ill only'kill the larvae pupae and live moths so a second treatment must be ; given as for the sulphur method. Choose a warm. day for the operation as the bisulphide vapourises much quicker in warm ■weather. Half a fluid ounce should be used for each cubic foot of material to be treated.