Comb Wax Research Articles

The effects of Penicillium waksmani growth on American foulbrood infected combs and adult honeybee activity

Penicillium waksmani was found capable of growing on the scales left by American foulbrood disease (AFB). The scale thus became loosened from the cell wall in a wax comb and was easier for the adult worker honeybees, Apis mellifera, to remove. Also, the bees were stimulated to remove the mold, and consequently, the loosened scales. This cell cleaning and removal of scale was further evidenced by a reduction in cell wall height and in the number of viable Bacillus larvae spores in the cells.

Studies on the Biological Control of the Greater Wax Moth,Galleria MellonellaII. Impregnation of Comb Foundation with Thuricide-HP as a Method of Control

SummaryThuricide-HP at low concentration (38 × 108 viable spores/g wax comb) was found to protect comb foundation against wax moth. Bacillus thuringiensis was easily impregnated in a viable condition in the wax foundation, where it remained viable for 18 months. It protected the combs against attack by Galleria mellonella larvae without any observed ill effects on honeybees. The spore content of honey from the combs was very low, and it is considered most unlikely that it could be in any way harmful to humans.

The Wax Comb Foundation that Never Sags

The Wax Comb Foundation that Never Sags