THE WAX MOTH AND ITS CONTROL 11 



CARBON MSULPIIIDB 



Carbon disulphide has been a standard fumigant for wax moths 

 and similar insects until recently, and with proper precautions is still 

 satisfactory. As commonly sold conmiercially, it is a more or less 

 yellowish, somewhat oily liquid that changes readily at ordinary 

 temperatures into an ill-ynielling gas. The liquid is about one-fourth 

 heavier than water, and the gas is heavier than air. It is MgMy 

 infaminahh\ atid the vapor is explos-ive v^heii: fnixed. with air in 

 certain- propmiions, and therefore this chem'ical nrnst not ie hcmdled 

 around -fire of any hind. Preferably it should be used out of doors 

 or in a well ^-entilated or open shed. 



In using carbon disulphide the supers should be sealed in the 

 same manner as for paradichlorobenzene. One ounce of liquid is 

 sufficient for five supers, and more than this number of supers should 

 not be placed in a single stack, since the weight of the gas carries 

 it quickly to the bottom of the stack, and the top super may not be 

 adequately fumigated. The stack should remain sealed for not less 

 than 12 hours. Carbon disulphide is effective against larvae and 

 adults but not against eggs; consequently, it may be necessary to 

 repeat the treatment after any eggs have had time to hatch. 



FUMIQANTS THAT ARE LESS EFFICIENT FOR WAX MOTH CONTEOL 



Other substances may be used for the control of the wax moth in 

 stored equipment, but, as explained in the following paragraphs, 

 they are not so efficient for this purpose as either paradichloro- 

 benzene or carbon disulphide and are therefore not recommended. 



The fumes from burning sulphur effectively control the larvae and 

 adults of the wax moth but are ineffective against the eggs. Sulphur 

 was one of the earliest of the substances used to control the wax 

 moth in stored combs. The early method was to stack the supers 

 over a pan of live coals over which was sprinkled powdered sulphur. 

 About 2 ounces of powdered sulphur (flowers of sulphur) is suffi- 

 cient for a stack of five supers. At least one empty super should 

 be placed at the bottoon of the stack so that the heat will not melt 

 the combs. Present-day practice is to put the sulphur in a dish, 

 wet it with denatured or wood alcohol, and ignite it directly. The 

 work should be done in a well-ventilated room or out of doors, and 

 precautions must be taken against ignition or overheating of the 

 combs. 



Calcium cyanide is effective against the larvae, pupae, and adults of 

 the wax moth, but cannot be depended on to destroy the eggs. It 

 is obtainable either as dust or as fine or coarse crystals. For use 

 in fumigating bee equipment the crystals are preferable to the dust. 

 In the presence of moisture (such as that found in the a,ir) the 

 crystals form a deadly gas, noninflammable and nonexplosive, hwb 

 extreTtiely poisonous to people and ammals. Care WMst he taken 

 when vmng the substance, and the ffas must not ie breathed. For 

 use put one full tablespoonful of crystals on a sheet of paper and 

 place the paper on the top of the frames in a super. Quickly place 

 the other supers on top, using not more than five supers per stack, 

 and tape the joints between supers with gummed paper tape. The 

 fumigation should be done out of doors, or in a well-ventilated room. 



