50 

 SPRING DWINDLING. 



This name is applied to a condition in tlie spring when the loss 

 of adult hees is at a more rapid rate than can he replaced hy the emerg- 

 ing brood. It is undoubtedly caused by a weakened condition by poor 

 wintering. 



ENEMIES OF THE BEE. 



Tlie enemies of the bee are not numerous. Occasionally a bird 

 cultivates a taste for bees; the chief offender, however, is the King 

 Bird, but their damages are so small that it hardly deserves mention. 

 Skunks sometimes are troublesome in making raids on the apiary at 

 night. Mice at times cause damage, especially during the winter, by 

 making their nests in the hives. Ants often make their nests between 

 the cover and top board, to take advantage of the heat from the bees. 

 They are easily driven away by scattering powdered sulphur or salt 

 where they nest. 



THE BEE MOTH. 



The most prevalent enemy of bees is the bee moth. There are two 

 species; the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) and the lesser wax 

 moth (Achroia grissella) . The larvae of the moth destroy the combs 

 by burrowing through them, constructing silken tunnels as they 

 go. Colonies that are queenless or weakened by disease are often 

 entirely destroyed by the ravages of the larvae. They are especially 

 destructive to stored combs. Since the moths can not stand low tem- 

 peratures It is best to store surplus combs in cold rooms. 



In controlling the bee moth there is only one rule and that is to 

 keep all colonies strong and not expose surplus combs in open places. 

 Moths discovered in combs can easily be destroyed either by sulphur 

 fumes or Disulphide of carbon. The use of the latter requires extreme 

 caution and should be kept away from Are or flame as it is highly In- 

 flamable and explosive. By burning sulphur in the honey house all 

 moths and flies will be killed without injuring the honey. This 

 should be done occasionally in order to prevent serious outbreaks of 

 the bee moth. 



WINTERING. 



Since bees do not hibernate, as do many insects, it is necessary for 

 them to generate a certain amount of heat in order to survive the winter. 

 To generate heat they must have an adequate supply of good honey. 

 Honeys of the lighter color are desired in preference to the dark honey 

 because of the amount of indigestible materials they contain. "Honey- 

 dew" honey should never be left in the hives for winter supplies. 

 Colonies short «f stores should be supplied with a syrup of granulated 

 sugar. Every colony, in order to winter well, should have no less than 

 thirty pounds of honey. 



Where colonies are wintered out of doors, it is necessary to provide 



