1170 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



making the bees to fast, are fully described in my Bee-keeper's 

 Guide or Manual of the Apiary. 



ENEMIES OF BEES. The bee moth is generally thought the 

 worst enemy. This, however, only successfully attacks weak or 

 queenless colonies, and is no dread to the wise and cautious 

 apiarist. If the bee moth trouble us we should the better learn 

 our business. If combs contain not too many larvae of the moth, 

 by giving one each to good, vigorous colonies, we may soon rid 

 our combs of them. Extra combs should be kept in close boxes, 

 so that no eggs can be laid on them. 



Wasps, a. its, cow-killers, robber flies, tachina flies, bee lice, 

 the stinging bug, spiders, and mites also disturb bees. These 

 are fully described in my work on bees. Toads often eat bees, 

 but they can be easily fenced out if their mischief is disturb- 

 ing. The king bird eats worker as well as drone bees ; but this 

 bird is a good friend of the farmer, as a feeder on injurious 

 insects, and we should be slow to pronounce the death warrant 

 against it. Mice and shrews are serious pests if they gain en- 

 trance to the hives in winter. By lessening the size of the 

 entrance, or putting a screen of perforated zinc before it, or, 

 better, having mouse-proof cellars, these vermin can be kept 

 at bay. 



