262 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



CAUSE OF ROBBING. 



The principal cause of robbing, is the desire to 

 increase their stores of honey, so strongly implanted 

 in the nature of the bee. Like the miser and dis- 

 honest man, so long as their treasures are being filled, 

 all is well, no matter from whence it comes or how 

 unjustly it may be acquired. 



When the flowers cease to supply honey, and the 

 weather is warm, bees are constantly out searching 

 in every direction for it, and hence they are easily 

 attracted by a hive standing in the apiary with honey, 

 the bees of which are unable to protect it. This is 

 the most common cause of fatal robberies. A dish 

 of honey, or even a box or comb, exposed carelessly 

 until they find it, and thus become excited, often 

 starts them to robbing ; or carelessly feeding a weak 

 colony with either honey or syrup, readily attracts 

 them. Colonies thus fed should be kept closed up, 

 so that not more than one or two bees could pass at 

 one time. In fact, when feeding bees, it is well'to 

 do it in the evening, when it will generally be taken 

 up during the night and stored away, obviating any 

 danger from this source. 



HOW TO PREVENT ROBBING. 



But little danger need be apprehended from rob- 

 bing, if all the stocks in the apiary are properly cared 

 for and examined, upon the least suspicion of the 

 loss of the queen, or of having become weak from 

 any other cause, and applying the proper remedy in 

 time. In short, if bee-keepers will give their bees 



