ANTS. 



17 



ANTS. 



the hives that contained bees than for those 

 containing only honey. We soon determin- 

 ed that it was the warmth from the cluster 

 that especially attracted them ; and as the 

 hives were directly on the ground, the ants 

 soon moved into several that contained only 

 a small cluster and for a while both used one 

 common entrance. As the bees increased. 

 1 hey began to show a decided aversion to 

 haviug two families in the same house, al- 

 though the ants were evidently inclined to 

 be peaceable enough until the bees tried to 

 "•push"" matters, when they turned about 

 and showed themselves fully able to hold 

 possession. The bees seemed to be studying 

 over the matter for a while, and finally we 

 found them one day taking the ants, one by 

 one. and carrying them high up in the air. 

 and letting them drop at such a distance 

 from their home that they would surely nev- 

 er be able to walk back again. The bees, as 

 fast as they became strong colonies, drove 

 the ants out ; and our experience ever since 

 has been, that a good colony of bees is never 

 in any danger of being troubled in the least 

 by ants. One weak colony, after battling 

 awhile with a strong nest of the ants, 

 swarmed out: but they might have done 

 this any way. so we do not lay much blame 

 to the ants. 



But ants do prove to lie very annoying in 

 those apiaries where there is any attempt to 

 keep the grass dovra with a lawn-mower. 

 The little hillocks that they make all over 

 the jard disfigure it to some extent, as well 

 as forming more or less obstruction to the 

 scythe and lawn-mower. While, as we have 

 already said, ants do little if any damage to 

 hives in the Xorth. yet as it is so easy to 

 eradicate them it may be well to consider 

 methods for their extermination. 



now TO DESTROY ANTS" XESTS. 



With a crowbar or a sharp stick and a 

 mallet mak e a hole an inch or so in diame- 

 ter, and about a foot deep, down through 

 the center of the nest. Around this hole 

 make two or three other similar ones, or 

 more if the nest is a large one. Go to the 

 drugstore and get about a dime"s worth of 

 bisulphide of carbon. Be careful with the 

 stuff, for it is very explosive, and the fumes 

 of it should not be allowed to collect in the 

 room where there is a gasoline flame or any 

 stove or lamp burning. Prom this bottle 

 pour about a tablespoonful of the liquid in 

 each hole ; then immediately stop eaeli uj) 

 with a plug of earth, for it is desired to have 

 the fumes of the bisulphide penetrate all the 



galleries of the nest, thus destroying ants, 

 larvse. and eggs. In a day or so it will be 

 found that every thing formerly animate in 

 and about that nest is dead— rf?-y dead. 



But if the nests are not very large, one 

 can secure almost as good results by using 

 coal oil or gasoline in place of the bisul- 

 phide. But in using the^e, about twice or 

 three times the quantity should be poured 

 in each liole. We have tried both gasoline 

 and kerosene, and have found each effective 

 in destroying the nest. Of the two. the 

 kerosene (or coal oil as sorne call it) seems 

 to be preferable. In using bisulphide of 



! carbon, gasoline, or kerosene, be careful 



I about spilling or pouring any of it on the 

 top of the nest, as that will kill the grslss. 



' leaving a brown spot right where it should 

 be green. The bisulphide is more apt to kill 

 the grass than the gasoline or coal oil, as it 

 is much more powerful. All things consid- 

 ered we would recommend the use of kero- 

 sene. 



The best time to destroy ants" nests is to 

 go early in the spring, before the ants have 

 had an opportunity to make much of a hil- 



j lock ; then there will be less liability of kill- 

 ing the grass: or, rather, a better opportu- 

 nity for the grass to recover from its-' dose "" 



I during the early spring rains. 



AXTS IX THE SOUTH. 



These insects are much more troubles )me 

 i:i the Southern States, and all warm cli- 

 mates, in fact, than in the North. Some- 

 times they are so large and powerful tliat 

 they even set about to destroy the colony. 

 We would first find the nest, and proceed to 

 destroy by the use of kerosene or gasoline. 

 If these do not prove to be powerful enough, 

 use bisulphide of carbon, making three or 

 four holes to the square foot of nest ; but in 

 the case of the bisulphide, one must be care- 

 ful to have each hole stopped up tight with 

 plugs of earth, otherwise the gas will escape, 

 and the effect of the liquid will be largely 

 lost. 



But there is a species of ants in warm 

 climates that have nests in trees that are 

 inaccessible. Other ants are so small, and 

 come such long distances, that it is almost 

 impossiljle to find their nest. In such cases 

 it has been recommended to place within 

 tiieir reach some syrup or honey niixf^d with 

 arsenic, Paris green, London purple, or 

 strychnine. It is unnecessary to say that all 

 vessels containing such poisonrms mixtures 

 should be ])laced in a box covered witli 

 screen just fine enougli to keep out bees, and 



