MANUAL OP THE APIARY. 273 



apiaiy. They enter the hives in winter, mutilate the comb, 

 irritate, perhaps destroy, the bees, and create a very offensive- 

 stench. They often greatly injure comb which is outside the 

 hive, destroy smokers, by eating the leather off the bellows, 

 and if they get at the seeds of honey plants, they never re- 

 treat till they make a complete work of destruction. 



In the house and cellar, these plagues should be, by use of 

 cat or trap, completely exterminated. If we winter on the 

 summer stands, the entrance should be so contracted that mice 

 cannot enter the hive. In case of packing as I have recom- 

 mended, I should prefer a more ample opening, which may be 

 safely secured by taking a piece of wire cloth or perforated 

 tin, and tacking it over the entrance, letting it come within 

 one-fourth of an inch of the bottom-board. This will give- 

 more air, and still preclude the entrance of these miserable 

 vermin. (See Appendix, page 293), 



