16 Wisconsin Bulletin 333 



are continually on the hunt for stores while others remain 

 peacefully at home. Possibly the amount of stores has some 

 effect but no difference has been observed here between" 

 colonies having abundant stores and those with small amounts. 

 Diseased colonies that are weak at the end of the honey flow 

 should be destroyed at onCe. As soon as the disease is found, 

 close the hive, carry it into the cellar and destroy bees and 

 combs immediately. Also see that none of the bees escape after 

 they are in the cellar, for bees loaded with honey fly back to 

 the old stand. When they do not find the old home, they will 

 gfo to the nearest hive and be allowed to enter. 



Method of Treatment 



Regardless of the plan to be used, the principle is the same 

 in every case — removal of infected honey and disease bearing 

 combs. After trying several inethods of accomplishing thjs 

 and observing the results, the following method seems to be 

 the simplest and safest if carefully done. 



1. Colonies that are known to be diseased should not be 

 given extracting combs prior to the treatment. If colonies 

 have been supered and the- bees have built comb between the 

 frames, lift off the extracting supers. Then starting with the 

 one next to the brood chamber, draw a knife between each 

 frame and separate it from the next. Do not do this until 

 the super is placed back on the hive. The operator should 

 carry a can of steaming hot water with him and drop the knife 

 into the water while moving the supers. Be careful not to 

 allow any honey to drop outside the hive. This operation 

 should be done the day before .treating so that the bees will 

 clean up the edges of the comb. The job of treating will then 

 be less messy and the chances of dropping honey outside the 

 hive will be greatly reduced. 



2. Select an empty hive body that is bee tight and nail a 

 tight bottom to it. Then place a cover on it that can be moved 

 freely back and forth when diseased combs are being put 

 into it. 



3. If the colony is only of medium strength, use one brood ' 

 chamber with full sheets of foundation. With unusually 

 strong colonies use two. Place an -empty super on, these to 

 brush the bees into. 



