Stupid Mistakes from the beginner

I am half tempted to rename my blog "Things I have learned the Hard Way" or "Stupid mistakes from the Beginner Beekeeper" or maybe "What not to do when keeping bees". We extracted several frames two weeks ago and I just put the frames in the garage to get them out of the way. I went in this morning to get some equipment and I saw something moving under the comb. Here is what I saw:


It was moving quickly from cell to cell but behind the comb. Whenever I would turn the frame towards the light it would take off trying to get away. I knew what it was instantly and thought that I was doomed. I checked each frame that I had in the garage and some were untouched and some were quite heavily damaged. I should county my blessings here because had I not checked them the damage could have been devastational!! To my surprise I only found four of these little guys:




I really was depressed and did not know what to do. My wife suggested freezing them but I was not sure that would destroy the eggs. I did a little research and found a very helpful formula.

Here is the formula:Freeze your frames 4.5 hours at 20 degrees F, 3 hours at 10 degrees F, 2 hours at 5 degrees F. Measure your freezer temp and decide how long you need to kill them. Freezing the frames will kill all stages of the moth.

I thought this would be an appropriate time to introduce my new favorite beekeeping tool.I can't wait to pick one of these up get it home and put it in the freezer and freeze each frame and be done with my new frenemy the wax worm! Oh and a note to self - listen to your wife.