118 ENEMIES. 



quantity of dry ashes or quick-lime in the spaces 

 around the boxes. 



Ants are a serious annoyance in getting into honey 

 after it is removed from the bees. I have found no 

 other efficient way to prevent them from doing so, 

 except to place it on a table, the legs of which are 

 set in cans of water. 



WASPS AND YELLOW-JACKETS. 



Wasps and yellow-jackets have, by some, been 

 reckoned as enemies, and doubtless are in some places. 



I have seen them occasionally carrying off honey 

 from weak swarms, but never have seen them make 

 any formidable attacks on strong hives. 



SPIDERS. 



There is one species of large black spider (quite 

 common in California) that is a great enemy to bees. 

 They seek a hive that is weak or only partially full, 

 in which to make their abode. They lay their ropes 

 so as to entangle the bees, which they seem to be 

 partial to as food. 



There are other species, which spread their nets in 

 the vicinity of hives, and occasionally within them ; 

 straggling bees are sometimes caught in these nets, 

 and a portion of th"eir bodies eaten. 



When their ropes or nets are noticed, they should 

 not only be removed, but the spiders (for there are 

 generally two) searched for and killed. 



