408 EXEMIES OF BEES. 



vice often makes when admitted to prey unchecked on the 

 precious treasures of the human heart. Only some tiny eggs 

 are deposited by the insidious moth, which give birth to veiy 

 innocent-looking worms; but let them once get the control, 

 and the fragrance* of the honied dome is soon corrupted, 

 the hum of happy industry stilled, and everything useful and 

 beautiful ruthlessly destroyed. 



As a feeble colony is often unable to cover all its combs, 

 the outside ones may become filled with the eggs of the 

 moth. The discouraged aspect of the bees soon indicates that 

 there is trouble of some kind within, and the bottom-board 

 will be covered with pieces of bee-bread mixed with the 

 excrement of the worms. 



If a feeble colony cannot he strengthened so as to protect 

 its empti/ combs, the careful bee-keeper will take them away 

 until the bees are numerous enough to need them. 



812. Combs having no brood, from dead colonies, or sur- 

 plus oombs, with or %^'ithout honey, should be smoked with 

 the fumes of burning sul23hur, to kill the eggs or worms of 

 the moth, when kept from the bees in the months of June, 

 July, August, and September. The box, hive, or room in 

 which they are kept should be tightly closed to prevent the 

 gas from escaping till it has done its work. In smoking comb- 

 honey in a loom, the sulphur may be placed on hot coals m 

 a dish, and care should be taken not to use too much of it, 

 as the gas has the effect of turning the propolis to a greenish 

 color, quite damaging to the looks of the beautiful sections. . 

 Enough smoke to kill the flies, in a room, will be found suf- 

 ficient. Diy combs kept over T^^inter in a well-closed room 

 without a fire, are not in danger of the moth the following 

 Summer, unless they are in some manner exposed. Combs, 

 in which there have been moths, should be examined occa- 

 sionally', to be smoked again if any worms are found. 



Bee-keepers also use bi-sulphide of carbon, poured on a 

 rag or in a saucer and enclosed withm the hive or box, but 



* The odor of the moth and larvje is very offensive. 



