ENEMIES OF DEES. 



203 



They eat honey and chilled bees, and set up a stench which is 

 so highly objectionable to bees that colonies will often forsake 

 such hives in the spring; and, if returned, will refuse to 

 remain. Bees have been known to completely cover up a dead 

 mouse with propolis, in order to suppress the smell ; and they 

 will refuse to occupy supers that have been visited by mice 

 when carelessly stored away in winter. Entrances that are too 

 high should be reduced to f", and all hive fittings, foundation, 

 etc., should be protected from the visits of mice. 



372. Parasites — The Blind Louse (Braula caica) — a red louse, 

 sometimes found upon the bodies of queens and workers. 

 These generally are more numerous upon queens, and are very 

 worrying. INfore common in warm climates, they have been 

 known to destroy whole colonies in Italy, where it is not un- 

 common for stocks, affected in this way, to forsake their hives. 

 The lice may sometimes be picked off the bodies of queens. 

 A little tobacco smoke will cause them to droi: on to the floor 

 board, when they can be swept into a vessel and destroyed. 

 The Pollen Mitc — This insect is often found in pollen cells in 

 weak colonies. Not actually harmful to the bees, strong stocks 

 quickly clear them out of their hives. The Maggot (Sfylops) — 

 This maggot is commonly found in the abdomens of Andrence, 

 and other wild bees. It has not been reported as appearing 

 in the honey bee. 



373. Wasps. — In autumn, wasps sometimes struggle hard to 

 gain access to the honey in hives ; and, as these insects are 

 both stronger and more active than bees, they can do a good 

 deal of mischief in weak colonies. When their attacks become 

 troublesome, a '' dark passage " may be constructed on the 

 alighting board, as advised for robber bees (310). Bottles, 

 with a little beer, or sugar and water, if left beside the alighting 

 boards, will attract and catch these enemies. Their nests 

 should be destroyed wherever found ; and queen wasps should 

 get short shrift. To destroy wasps' nests, place small pieces 

 of cyanide of potassium at the entrance of each nest. Never 

 iriterfere with a wasps' nest during the day : mark it with a 

 piece of stick and white paper, and do the killing by lantern 

 light. 



374. Wax Moth — The Wax Moth (Galltria cereana) is about 

 J" long. These moths breed two or three times in one year. 

 They are very fleet in their movements — "the most nimble- 

 footed creatures that I know.'' — Eeaumur. They may some- 

 times be seen flying in front of a hive on a cloudy afternoon 

 in summer. At night, if she can gain admission, the female 

 deposits eggs in the hive. The worms from these eggs devour 

 wax, brood, pollen, and the cast-off skins of bee larvae, during 



