186 THE BEE-KEEPER’S MANUAL. 
est swarms: I have often experienced the reverse. 
Bees like the shade when working [at home], and the 
sun only when in the fields.” 
Moths, Wasps, Hornets, and other Enemies.—In the 
warm summer evenings, bees are often much annoyed 
by the attempted inroads of moths, particularly the 
small wax moth (Tinea mellonella), of a whitish-grey 
colour. These are sometimes formidable foes, and 
their appearance at dusk on the alighting-board is 
the signal for a commotion. It is difficult to eject 
them if they obtain a footing in a hive, where they 
will deposit their eggs, spinning their silken webs, 
and now and then increasing so as even to cause the 
entire destruction of the colony. When these vermin 
have established themselves, there is no remedy but 
driving the bees into another hive. To prevent the 
ingress of these troublesome invaders, it is some- 
times desirable for an hour or two in an evening to 
close the entrance, by placing before it a screen of gauze, 
wire-grating, or perforated zinc, to be removed at dark.* 
Poultry, and some other kinds of birds, will feed 
upon bees; and many, that from weakness or other 
causes fall to the ground, become a sacrifice to 
them. In particular, that little marauder, the blue 
tomtit or titmouse (Purus major of Linneus), must 
not be tolerated. In summer he will devour bees, 
and feed his young with them; and in winter he 
* A difficulty some'imes occurs when it is necessary to confine bees, 
or drive thein.into the live, as the alighting-board is often covered 
with them in an evening, and the numbers are increased on the least 
alariu. In this case take a siuall watering-pot, and gently sprinkle the 
es aud entrance, when the bees, mistaking it for rain, will retire 
Within, 
