Anthony Morton
Sunday 29th February 2004, 10:25
The following hassle-free tip for DIY waxworm breeding appears in the current issue of Cage & Aviary Birds and was sent in by David Wardell of Yorkshire.
' Contact your local beekeepers' association and ask them for names of the nearest beekeepers, as in the next few weeks beekeepers will be cleaning hives and sorting out old frames of comb which have been in use for the last couple of years.
'The wax-comb is usually melted down, collected and part-exchanged for new comb foundation.
'The old comb can be bought for a modest amount, or might even be given to you. The comb will be in reasonably sized pieces of wax, which should be put into a black bin liner which has had a few holes cut into the sides to allow the entry of the wax moth.
'It may be that the moth has already taken up residence in larvae form, in which case, so much the better.
'The bag should be left outside in a shed, and inspected after a few weeks to see if the moths are in residence.
'We have two species of wax moth, a greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) and the lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella). Both can be found within the same comb and used to feed your birds.
'When the moths have taken over, place all the comb into a large box or old fish tank. This can be left in a dry place and the larvae can be taken out when required, or throw large bits of comb onto the ground for the birds to pick over. This way you will have wax moths breeding free food all the year round.'
Well worth a try in my opinion - especially as there's little expense and even less effort required!
' Contact your local beekeepers' association and ask them for names of the nearest beekeepers, as in the next few weeks beekeepers will be cleaning hives and sorting out old frames of comb which have been in use for the last couple of years.
'The wax-comb is usually melted down, collected and part-exchanged for new comb foundation.
'The old comb can be bought for a modest amount, or might even be given to you. The comb will be in reasonably sized pieces of wax, which should be put into a black bin liner which has had a few holes cut into the sides to allow the entry of the wax moth.
'It may be that the moth has already taken up residence in larvae form, in which case, so much the better.
'The bag should be left outside in a shed, and inspected after a few weeks to see if the moths are in residence.
'We have two species of wax moth, a greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) and the lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella). Both can be found within the same comb and used to feed your birds.
'When the moths have taken over, place all the comb into a large box or old fish tank. This can be left in a dry place and the larvae can be taken out when required, or throw large bits of comb onto the ground for the birds to pick over. This way you will have wax moths breeding free food all the year round.'
Well worth a try in my opinion - especially as there's little expense and even less effort required!