B401 Certan against Greater Wax Moth

B 401 – Natural and Up to 100% Effective Protection of Drawn Comb Against Wax Moth (120 ml)

Drawn comb is among the most valuable assets of every beekeeper. It is rightfully called the "gold of the apiary" – to produce 1 kg of virgin beeswax, bees consume approximately 4 to 5 kg of honey and a great deal of energy. However, after honey extraction, stored combs become an easy target for the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella). Its larvae can destroy dozens to hundreds of frames within just a few weeks, turning quality comb into webbing, frass, and dust. The biological preparation B 401 offers a natural and reliable prevention that helps protect drawn comb until the next nectar flow season, saving both labor and the cost of replacing destroyed combs.

Key Benefits for Beekeepers

B 401 is a modern biological alternative to the traditional sulfur fumigation of combs or the use of aggressive chemical agents. When used correctly, it leaves no residues in wax or honey, thus preserving the purity of future bee products. Unlike sulfur fumigation, which must be repeated during storage, a single application after honey extraction is sufficient. Drawn comb thus receives long-term protection for up to 12 months. The product is suitable for stored frames in supers and can also be used as a preventive treatment for empty hives, swarm boxes, or bee feeders with wax residues.

How Does B 401 Biological Protection Work?

The concentrate contains the naturally occurring bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai. This bacterium produces protein crystals that are effective against young wax moth larvae. Once a larva ingests treated wax, the substance is activated in its digestive system, causing paralysis and subsequent death of the larva. Adult wax moths do not consume wax, so the product has no effect on them. For humans, vertebrates, adult bees, and bee brood, the product is harmless when used as recommended. However, B 401 should be understood as a preventive measure – it is applied to healthy drawn comb, not used to salvage combs that are already heavily infested and damaged.

Instructions for Use and Application Recommendations

1. Preparing the concentrate: Before use, shake the bottle of B 401 thoroughly to ensure the biological component is evenly dispersed throughout the solution.

2. Proper dilution: The concentrate is diluted with clean drinking water at a ratio of 1:19, i.e., 1 part B 401 concentrate to 19 parts water. This produces a 5% working solution. In practice, this means mixing, for example, 10 ml of B 401 concentrate with 190 ml of water. Always prepare only the amount of solution you will use immediately – the diluted product is not intended for storage until the next day.

3. Application to drawn comb: Pour the prepared working solution into a clean hand-held or backpack sprayer. Treat each frame evenly on both sides. For maximum effectiveness, apply approximately 1.5 ml of diluted solution per 10 × 10 cm area, i.e., 100 cm² of comb surface.

4. Important drying after treatment: After application, the combs will be damp. Before placing them into supers or enclosed storage, allow them to dry completely in a well-ventilated area. If damp combs are sealed into stacks of supers, mold growth could develop and subsequently damage the comb.

Storage and Shelf Life

Store the B 401 concentrate in a dark place at a stable temperature between 5 °C and 20 °C. When kept cool, ideally below 12 °C, and in its unopened original packaging, the product retains its effectiveness for several years. This allows you to conveniently purchase it well in advance for future beekeeping seasons.

Product Technical Specifications