Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[narustin]

I have some problems and need advice. I have a very active 4ft top bar hive full of top bars, all cross combed (Nick’s old hive). No more room for growth. How can I split it? I have a free hive to use if necessary.
2 of my hives have been ravaged by wax moth and the colonies are weakened. Any way to revive?
All advice gratefully received. Contact me on +4407770933662. Nigel. London UK

[Barbara]

Hi Nigel.

Sorry to hear you have acquired a hive in that state. Unfortunately there is no easy fix. The options are catch the swarms as they emerge if you are able or place bait hives strategically around the neighbourhood in the hope of attracting them or prepare a whole load of rescue bars with chicken wire and do a cut out on at least half of the hive which will be a big job and you will need help. Unfortunately I am at the other end of the country, so cannot volunteer my services but maybe someone closer might shout up or perhaps you can enlist the help of a local beekeeper to you.

My experience with wax moth is that either the colony is weak and allow the wax moth to take over or there is something about the design of the hive which provides areas for the wax moth to breed where the bees cannot get to them and deal with them. Mesh floors with a board below or deep litter below mesh provide an excellent opportunity for wax moth to flourish as the wax cappings drop through. Sawdust and shavings in the deep litter also seem to attract them.