228 DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF BEES 
more advanced stage. If left undisturbed such a comb would 
very shortly be entirely destroyed. 
Amateur bee-keepers frequently complain that the moth is 
destroying their bees and inquire what to do for it. The answer 
is: Keep your colonies strong and replace old and failing queens 
with vigorous young Italians. Colonies that have become weak- 
ened by disease fall an easy prey to the moths. 
Experienced bee-keepers are seldom heard to complain of 
this trouble, for they have long ago learned that constant vigi- 
lance is the price of success, in the apiary as elsewhere. The 
bee-keeper who does not examine the brood nest of his colonies 
occasionally has no means of knowing the condition of his bees. 
Frequent examination will enable him to detect and avoid the 
conditions that provide favorable surroundings for the moths. 
Care of Empty Combs.—The moths are a source of annoy- 
ance to the bee-keeper who has large numbers of empty combs 
during a part of the year. During the warm months there is no 
better place to store empty combs than over a strong colony of 
Italian bees. After the season is over and cold nights come they 
may be placed in any cold place safely, for freezing will effec- 
tively check the work of these insects. It is well to have a tight 
compartment where no adult moths can get in so that they will 
be safe after warm weather comes again. There is always danger 
in putting away empty combs in warm weather, that eggs may be 
present and that the combs may be destroyed before the presence 
of the insects is discovered. 
When combs either empty or containing honey are found to 
be infested with moths they should be cared for without delay 
as the insects develop very rapidly. 
If only a few combs be injured they may Le placed in strong 
colonies and the bees will clean them up quickly and effectively, 
throwing the dead larve at the entrance of the hive within a few 
hours. If there is a large number of combs it is well to place 
them in a tight room and fumigate them. This may be done 
by putting a quantity of sulfur in a dish, first pouring alcohol 
