B401
B401 (also known as Certan) is a preventative treatment that controls wax moth. It is a safe and environmentally friendly product based on a concentrated solution of Bacillus thuringiensis, a microorganism. B401 is used after the honey harvest, when the frames are stored and kills young wax moth larvae. It must therefore be used before a wax moth infestation. A single application will provide 100% efficacy against wax moth right up through to the following season.
B401 comes in 120ml or 1 litre containers and is available from Vita distributors.
Safety Data Sheet for B401 (pdf)
When to use B401
B401 should be used after the honey harvest, when the frames are stored. Protection will be effective right through to the following season.
B 401 can also be used to protect decoy or empty hives.
B 401 kills only young wax moth larvae and must be used as a preventative before the combs are infested.
How to use B401
Preparation
• B 401 is made of spores from Bacillus thuringiensis and must be diluted in water to 5% (ie 1 volume of B 401 for 19 volumes of water).
• Shake the bottle of B 401 vigorously before adding the required amount to the corresponding water volume and mixing.
• Once diluted, the solution must be used the same day. Before mixing, calculate the amount of product required to treat the desired number of frames.
Quantities
For up to 100% wax moth control, apply 1.5 ml of solution per 10 centimetres squared of comb, on both sides of the frame. For example, one 120ml B401 bottle will treat 50-70 Dadant brood frames or 10-15 Dadant supers or 70-100 Langstroth brood frames,
Applying B401
• Shake the bottle before use.
• Apply evenly with a sprayer over both sides of the frame.
• Allow the frames to dry in an aired room before storing.
How to store B 401
B401 should be stored at a temperature between 5º C and 20° C. If stored in a cool place (under 12°C) and in its well-sealed original bottle, B 401 can be kept for several years.
Safety of B401
Unlike paradichlorobenzene, which is a toxic product and forbidden in some countries for any agricultural use, B401 does not leave any residue in the wax or the honey.
B 401 is harmless to bee larvae and adult bees.
Aizawai serotype 7 (present in B 401) is the sole variety of Bacillus thuringiensis to give excellent results against wax moth. Some other types of Bacillus thuringiensis are toxic to humans & bees.
What is B 401?
B 401 is a concentrated solution of Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies aizawai, a micro organism, harmless to man & honeybee alike.
B 401 has up to 100 % efficacy against the larvae of the wax moth (Galleria mellonella)
B 401 is a 100% biological product that leaves no residue in wax or honey, does not alter the taste of honey, and is environmentally friendly. B401 is suitable for organic farming in accordance with Council Regulation EEC No 2092/91 modified on 24th June 1991.