DISEASES AKD EKEMIES OF BEES. 231 



easily aroused to action. This may account for the cases 

 that are cited where the natives winter better than the 

 Italians. Another proof that the woiTying of swarms 

 while in winter quarters is occasioned by these pests, is 

 the fact that the bees gradually leave the hive and fall 

 upon the cellar bottom ; and when set upon their summer 

 stands, these weak swarms will be found throwing these 

 parasites from the hive in large numbers. It has been 

 demonstrated by the experience of many, in wintering, 

 that when the ventilating slide in the bottom board is 

 left open, the bees in most cases cluster lower and directly 

 over the opening, and are found to keep more quiet. 

 This method has been recommended because of the evi- 

 dently better results. I had supposed that the advantage 

 lay in the fact that they were more certain of their free- 

 dom from the opening being so near, and I yet believe 

 this to be a condition which favors this result. It occurs 

 to me, however, since my acquaintance with these para- 

 sites that they were also more easily removed from the 

 hive when it was thus arranged. I have examined the 

 dust which dropped from the cluster through this open- 

 ing, when in winter quarters, and lodged upon the top of 

 the hive beneath, and in nearly every case found these in- 

 sects. It has been found to conduce to successful wintering 

 to place a rim under each hive, raising it a short distance 

 from the bottom board. In this case, the insects in the 

 dust would be farther from the cluster of bees, and less 

 likely to annoy them. It has often been noticed that 

 during the spring and summer months, young bees are 

 thrown from the cells that have been, through some 

 cause, destroyed before maturing. Cases have been re- 

 ported where young bees have been so removed in large 

 numbers. It seems very reasonable to infer that these 

 may have been destroyed by parasites, as I have found 

 them in the bodies of such bees. 

 They are found in all parts of the hives where the bees 



