ENEMIES, OF BEES. 239 



DIPPEllENT APPKABANCE IN OLD .STOCKS. 



But when the bees in old stocks make no effort to dis- 

 lodge the enemy or his worksj the case is somewhat 

 desperate. We must look for something entirely different 

 from the foregoing symptoms. But few young bees will 

 be found. In their place we shall find . the foeces of the 

 worms dropped on the board. The chips dropped by the 

 bees, in biting off the covering of the cells, to get at the 

 honey, closely resemble them. To detect t1\e difference 

 requires close inspection. The color of the foeces varies 

 with the color of the combs on which the worms feed, 

 from white to brown and black. The size of these grains 

 will vary in proportion to- the size of the worm, from a 

 mere speck to nearly as large as a pin head ; shape cylin- 

 drical, with obtuse ends, length about twice the diameter 

 By the quantity we can judge of the number of worms 

 If the hive is full of combs, the lower ends may appear 

 perfect, while the middle or upper part is sometimes a mat 

 of webs. 



Whenever our stocks have become reduced from over- 

 swarming or other causes, the ravages of worms are to be 

 expected. Here is another important reason for knowing' 

 the actual condition of our bees at all times ; we can de- 

 tect the operations of the worms very soon after they 

 commence. In some instances we can save the stock by 

 breaking out most of the combs, leaving just enough to be 

 covered by the bees. When success attends this operation, 

 it must be performed before the worms have made a per- 

 manent lodgment. When the stock is weak, and appear- 

 ances indicate the presence of many worms, it will be the 

 least trouble in the end, and generally, the safest method, 

 to drive out the bees at once, and secure the honey and 

 wax. The bees may do a little, if put into a new hive,' 

 but if they should do nothing, it would be no worse than 

 to leave them in the' old hive till' the worms had destroyed 



