8 CIRCULAR 3 8 6, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



hot steam pipes. Preferably it should be used out of doors or in 

 a well-ventilated or open shed. 



For carbon disulfide fumigation 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, because the gas, being heavy, quickly 

 sinks to the bottom of the stack and may not adequately fumigate 

 the top super. The stack should remain sealed for not less than 12 

 hours. Since carbon disulfide is not effective against the eggs of the 

 wax moth, it may be necessary to repeat the treatment after any eggs 

 have had time to hatch. 



CALCIUM CYANIDE 



Calcium cyanide is obtainable either as a dust or as fine or coarse 

 crystals. For use in fumigating bee equipment the crystals, contain- 

 ing not less than 40 percent of calcium cyanide, are preferable to the 

 dust. In the presence of moisture, such as that in the air, the crystals 

 release a deadly gas, which is noninflammable and nonexplosive as 

 ordinarily used in fumigation. It is, however, extremely poisonous 

 to people and animals, and care must be taken not to breathe the 

 gas, the pronounced odor of which is discernible when the con- 

 tainer is opened. The fumigation should be conducted out of 

 doors, and it is safer to wear a suitable gas mask when handling 

 calcium cyanide in any form. For use, put 1 tablespoonful of 

 crystals on a sheet of paper and place the paper on 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 stacks of supers should not be disturbed 

 for 24 hours after fumigation, and the combs should be well aired 

 before they are used. 



Fumigating and Storing Comb-Section Honey and Honey in 

 Extracting Frames 



The control of wax moth damage in honey stored in comb sections 

 or in frames is the same as for other stored combs. Honey, however, 

 absorbs odors readily, and the odor of paradichlorobenzene is 

 absorbed and held easily, being especially objectionable in mild- 

 flavored honeys. The gas given off when calcium cyanide comes in 

 contact with the moisture in the air is not absorbed by honey. 

 Calcium cyanide dust should not, of course, be applied directly to 

 honey in the comb, but should be placed on a cardboard or in a con- 

 tainer of some sort. Stored honey should not be exposed to any 

 fumigant for long periods. 



Much of the honey produced for market in comb sections is mild 

 in flavor, and the absorption of even slight amounts of a foreign 

 odor is objectionable. Carbon disulfide is the most satisfactory 

 fumigant for comb honey. As soon as sections are well sealed, they 

 should be removed from the hives, placed , in supers, and stacked 

 not more than 8 to 10 high. The directions given previously for 

 fumigating combs can be followed, with due care for the inflammable 

 and explosive nature of this fumigant. 



