150 BEGINNER'S BEE BOOK 



where the entrances of the hives are left wide 

 open. All entrances should be contracted to 

 not exceed three-eighths of an inch in height 

 during the winter months to prevent the en- 

 trance of mice. These little animals also often 

 damage combs that are stored in outbuildings 

 or other situations within their reach. All un- 

 used combs should be protected from both mice 

 and moths. 



Skunks occasionally become troublesome 

 by scratching at the entrance of a hive and de- 

 vouring the bees as they rush out. Since they 

 return to the same hive night after night, it is 

 not usually difficult to catch the offender with 

 a steel trap. 



Waxmoths are the soui'ce of great anxiety 

 to most beginners. As soon as a colony is lost 

 from any cause, the moths will enter the hive 

 and deposit their eggs. The larvee burrow 

 through the combs and soon destroy them. If 

 a colony becomes weakened the moths are quite 



