170 DISEASES AND ENEMIES. 



that the most fatal of all is one called ' foul brood,' — 

 when the young brood die and rot in the cells, and 

 which is not only a fatal but also a most infectious 

 disease. 



It has often ruined whole apiaries, causing most 

 serious loss. Many remedies have from time to time 

 been tried, but only with partial success. Now, at 

 last, what appears to be a sure remedy, an old remedy 

 in a new form, has been discovered, so that, we hope, 

 it will no longer be the dreaded pest it has been. 



And what I have said of care and watchfulness ■ 

 in the matter of disease, will equally apply as useful 

 advice with regard to many of the enemies of bees. 



One of the most serious of these enemies is the 

 wax-moth, which is particularly fond of laying its 

 eggs in any crevice in the hive, and the grubs from 

 which are most obnoxious and destructive. But these 

 eggs may be looked for and destroyed — at least with 

 frame-hives, although with skeps this is impossible. 



' Their chambers oft 



Are choked with skulking beetles 



Or moths, an execrable race, intrude, 

 Or-savage hornet, with unequal arms. 

 Or spider, hateful to Minerva, hangs 

 Her straggling network at the vestibule.' 



Virgil. 



Other enemies are mice, slugs, and snails, but very 

 ordinary care will prevent much danger from these. 



Some birds are also enemies. The blue tomtit, — 

 pretty little bird as it is, — is especially so in winter and 

 early spring ; for, when once it has had a taste of bee- 

 flesh, it will again and again come to the hive for 



