23 



do much damage in winter by destroying tar paper and exposing hives 

 packed with this material. The control recommended for skunks is to 

 make a small hole in an egg at the air cell end. Then stir one grain of 

 strychnine well into the egg with a tooth pick or small piece of wire. A 

 grain of strychnine is about as big as a pin head. The egg is then half 

 buried near the hive where the skunk can get at it. Every precaution 

 must be taken when using strychnine. Where there is danger of poison- 

 ing domestic animals, the egg should be placed under the hive or some 

 place where larger animals cannot get at it. Persons placing out strych- 

 nine in this manner are responsible for any damage that may result to 

 livestock. 



(d) Mice 



Bee yards in all parts of the Province are troubled by mice. These 

 pests will destroy comb and build nests alongside the winter cluster in 

 good colonies. The disturbance will generally result in the loss of the 

 colony. They will also build nests in stored super combs during the 

 winter. In some sections chipmunks will do similar damage. Winter 

 entrances should be constructed small enough that mice cannot enter, and 

 piles of supers in storage should be protected both above and below with 

 queen excluders. Poison grains are effective as a means of control. A 

 commercial poison bait known as "Mouse Seed" may be obtained from the 

 Bee Supply Companies, or a mixture of strychnine and grain may be 

 prepared at home. This is done by dissolving 25 grains of strychnine in 

 about 11/2 pints of water and placing this in a large container. Com- 

 pletely soak some grain with this liquid. The grain must be dried before 

 using, otherwise it will mold. A small amount of strychnine may also be 

 combined with icing sugar and then mixed with flour or crumbs, or spread 

 on bread. 



(e) Other Pests 



Pests of lesser importance in Ontario include bears, ants and king- 

 birds. A stencil sheet of Apiary Pests and their control may be obtained 

 free on request from the Apiculture Department, Ontario Agricultural 

 College, Guelph. 



PERMITS TO MOVE OR SELL BEES 



All beekeepers are asked to co-operate to the fullest extent with the 

 Apiculture Department in the matter of obtaining permits to move or 

 sell bees. 



In the past great losses have been experienced in many sections of the 

 Province, and disease has been introduced into many disease-free areas 

 through the criminal carelessness of certain beekeepers in promiscuously 

 moving diseased colonies or equipment. 



The slight inconvenience and possible delay of a sale that sometimes 

 has to occur before a permit can be granted is dwarfed to insignificance 

 by the fact that co-operation in this matter is absolutely essential if 

 disease is ever to be brought under control in the Province. 



Persons guilty of moving or selling bees without a permit are subject 

 to a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00 under the Foul- 

 brood Act. Apiary Inspectors are of the opinion that this section of the 

 Act must be strictly enforced if we are going to hold what we have gained 

 through efficient inspection. 



