Da Journal of Jay

Wax moth larvae infestation in second Bee hive

Jay checked the second Bee hive he had added and found it heavily infested with larvae that initially looked like maggots but appeared to be wax moth larvae. There was roughly half a cup of larvae in the bottom of the hive box and larvae were also all over the comb. Jay used a torch to burn the larvae in the bottom, removed the affected comb, and tried to kill as many as possible. He suspects some larvae remain in the hive. The discovery was really disappointing after all the work of going back and forth to pick up the bees, prepping everything, and getting the hive ready. After researching wax moths, Jay learned they likely were not the cause of the hive's death; wax moth larvae are more of a symptom of a collapsed hive because there are not enough bees left to defend the comb. Unfortunately, Jay believes the second Bee hive is done, and the remaining work is cleanup.