ENEMIES AND DISEASES OF BEES 175 



is another reason why the work should be done in 

 the open and that is because of the sickening stench 

 of the gas. Comb thus treated should be stored in a 

 perfectly tight receptacle, or else be set an inch or so 

 apart on shelves. The bee-moth caterpillar does 

 not seem to like to work in combs that are not set 

 as closely together, as they are in the hives. 



If combs infested with the bee-moth are subjected 

 to a temperature of 10° F. the moth is usually ex- 

 terminated. However, the pest normally passes the 

 winter in the pupa state, and seems to be able to 

 survive in hives left out of doors, wherever the bees 

 can survive. It should be remembered that the bee- 

 moth works only during the summer from May until 

 October, and remains quiescent during the winter. 

 As a matter of fact the modern up-to-date bee- 

 keeper has almost no trouble with the bee-moth. 

 It is a special enemy of the heedless and careless man 

 who neglects his hives, and thus may well deserve 

 to have his bees exterminated. 



If a colony is attacked by the bee-moth, the hive 

 should be thoroughly cleaned; new good comb 

 should be introduced and only enough so that the 

 bees can cover it. The infested comb should be 

 fumigated with carbon bisulphide, and after the 

 moths are killed it may be given to a strong colony 

 to clean out and use. 



THE INDIAN-MEAL MOTH {Plodia interpunctella) 



The Indian-meal moth sometimes forsakes its 

 bins of grain and meal and devastates the honey- 



