Turkish beekeepers' honeycombs to be protected from wax moth with new project

Beekeepers in Manisa, Turkey, will soon benefit from a new initiative designed to protect their valuable honeycombs from the destructive greater wax moth. The Manisa Metropolitan Municipality is launching the "Honeycomb Preservation and Protection Project" to support sustainable beekeeping and reduce production costs for local apiarists.

A key component of the project is a container-type cold storage facility established in the Hıroğlu neighborhood of Gölmarmara district. Starting August 25, 2026, this facility will offer a specialized service: "shock freezing" of honeycombs at a frigid -30 degrees Celsius. This extreme cold treatment is designed to effectively eliminate not only adult moths but also their larvae, pupae, and eggs, which cause significant damage to honeycombs and reduce their reusability.

The project aims to provide a chemical-free solution to protect honeycombs during storage. By preventing damage from the greater wax moth without resorting to chemical interventions, the initiative will also mitigate the risk of chemical residues in honey. This will contribute to a healthier and safer production process in the beekeeping sector. Beekeepers will be able to safely store their harvested honeycombs, ensuring they can be reused in subsequent production seasons, thereby reducing the need to purchase new equipment and minimizing losses.