CHAPTER II 



ENEMIES AND PESTS 



The wax moth, the larva of which eats its way 

 through the mid rib of the combs, leaving in its track 

 long web-like tunnels, is the pest most to be feared. 

 Strong colonies rarely suffer from an attack. Weak 

 colonies, and especially empty stored combs, need a 

 watchful eye. 



Empty combs, stored from one year to another, 

 should be so enclosed as to prevent the access of the 

 parent moth, fumigating them with burning sulphur 

 previous to storage. 



Should the larva make its appearance, the above 

 treatment with burning sulphur will eradicate it. 



When examining hives, keep a sharp look - out 

 amongst the quilts, along the top bars of frames, and 

 along the saw cut, and destroy any grubs found 

 lurking. 



Ants are sometimes troublesome, especially when 

 spring feeding, congregating in large numbers around 

 the feeding stage. They do but little real injury. To 

 prevent their gaining access, stand the legs of the hive 

 in saucers of water or, better still, oil. 



Mice occasionally gain access to hives and do a con- 

 siderable amount of damage. Hive entrances should be 

 sufficiently shallow to prevent their access. Hives having 

 deep entrances should have a wire stretched across. 



Wasps sometimes play havoc with a weak colony. 

 Strong colonies may be relied upon to defend them- 

 selves. All wasps seen flying in the early spring are 



