44 BEES. 
evidence of disease. This is the most frequent cause of the cases of 
moth depredation reported to this department. Black bees are less 
capable of driving moth larve out, but, even with these bees, strong 
colonies rarely allow them to remain. The observance of the golden 
rule of bee keeping, ‘‘ Keep all colonies strong,’’ will solve the moth 
question unless disease appears. 
Moth larvae often destroy combs stored outside the hive. To 
prevent this the combs may be fumigated with sulphur fumes or 
bisulphid of carbon in tiers of hives or in tight rooms. If bisulphid 
of carbon is used, great care should be taken not to bring it near a 
flame, as it is highly inflammable. Combs should be stored in a dry, 
well-ventilated, light room. 
In the warmer parts of the country ants are often a serious pest. 
They may enter the hive for protection against changes of tempera- 
ture, or to prey on the honey stores or the brood. The usual method 
of keeping them out is to put the hive on a stand, the legs of which 
rest in vessels containing water or creosote. Another method is to 
wrap a tape soaked in corrosive sublimate around the bottom board. 
GENERAL INFORMATION. 
For the purpose of answering numerous questions which are asked 
of this department the following brief topics are included. 
BREEDERS OF QUEENS. 
There are a large number of bee keepers who make a business of 
rearing queens of good stock for sale. The queens are usually sent 
by mail. If poor stock is all that can be obtained locally, it is reeom- 
mended that such colonies be purchased and the queens removed and 
replaced with those obtained from a good breeder. This department 
can supply names of breeders, nearest the applicant, of any race raised 
in this country. 
INTRODUCING QUEENS. 
When queens are shipped by mail they usually come in cages (fig. 
25) which can be used for introducing. If the colony to receive the 
new queen has one, she must be removed and the cage inserted 
between the frames. The small hole leading into the candy com- 
partment is uncovered, and the bees gradually eat through and 
release the queen. If queens are reared at home, a similar cage may 
be used f6r introducing. In view of the fact that disease may be 
transmitted in mailing cages, it is always a wise precaution to remove 
the new queen and destroy the accompanying workers and the cage 
and its contents. The queen may then be put into a clean cage 
without worker bees, with candy known to be free from contamina- 
tion (made from honey from healthy hives), and introduced in the 
regular way. . 
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