202 THE rR>CTICAL BEE GUIDE. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

 ENEMIES OF BEES. 



367. Enemies Bees, like every other living thing, have 



their natural enemies ; and, in some countries, it is very neces- 

 sary to protect them from a variety of foes. In this country, 

 however, all that is required is to keep the stocks strong enough 

 to protect themselves, and to give them hives that do not offer 

 special facilities to the attacks of dangerous intruders. 



368. Ants — These insects (61) sometimes make their nests 

 about the hives, and give a little trouble. But healthy bees 

 are very well able to cope with them. Naphthaline (352) in the 

 hives, and among the quilts,, discourages ants. To stand the 

 hives in saucers of water, or tar, will keep out these insects. 

 If they become very troublesome, the nests should be destroyed 

 by making a hole a foot deep through the centre of the nest 

 with a pointed stick, and two or three similar holes around it, 

 when, i-oz. of bi-sulphide of carbon (355) may be poured into 

 each hole, and the clay may then be closed in. Bi-sulphide of 

 carbon is highly inflammable, and must not be brought near 

 fire or lamp. 



389. Birds Sparrows, Starlings, Chaffinches, Blue Tits, 



and even Swallows, occasionally prey upon bees. In hard 

 winters, birds may sometimes be seen on the alighting boards, 

 picking up venturous bees. It is not reasonable to declare 

 war upon, and to destroy these beautiful things for obeying 

 their instincts in search of food, when frost has dried up the 

 earth, and berries are no longer in the hedgerows. All that 

 is necessary is to arrange a yard of old herring netting in front 

 of the hive ; thus, at the expense of a penny, protecting each 

 colony until the opening of spring shall offer other provender 

 to the songsters of the woods. 



370. — Earwigs. — Earwigs seldom enter the hive proper, but 

 are often found behind dummies ; under the shoulders of 

 frames; and among the quilts. They do no harm. Naphtha- 

 line (352) will drive them off. Standing the hive in saucers of 

 water, or tar, will prevent their entrance. 



371. Mice — When winter drives the bees away from the 

 entrance, mice will creep into hives and make their nests in 

 the warmth, if the space at the doors is more than |" high. 



