41 
THE TROUBLES OF THE BEEKEEPER 
Information gained from blanks sent to the beekeepers through- 
out the State indicates that the chief troubles of the beekeeper are 
due to the bee moth. The table below gives the answers received 
from the largest beekeepers from different parts of the State: 
Number of beekeepers reporting Trouble 
104 Bee moth 
14 Paralysis 
10 Foul brood 
6 Ants 
2 Roaches 
2 Toads 
1 Mice 
1 Birds 
When a beekeeper reports trouble from the bee 
The bee moth moth it is a sure indication that carelessness is 
the seat of the trouble, for bee moth is a sec- 
ondary trouble. Never does it attack a strong, vigorous colony. Only 
after the colony is weakened by loss of queen or foul brood does the 
moth gain en- 
trance to the 
hive unless 
the hive is in 
very bad con- 
dition. One 
person re- 
porting on 
these troubles 
said, “I am 
surprised 
that you ask 
concerning 
the bee moth. 
No modern 
beekeeper 
everhas trou- 
ble from this 
source.” I 
might say 
Fic. 45—Tur Bre Morr anp Its Work that this re- 
; ply came 
from one of Tennessee’s best beekeepers and probably one of the 
largest producers of Italian queens in the United States. For those 
who have been unfortunate enough to have trouble from the bee moth 
a method for overcoming it may be suggested. The hive should be 
thoroughly cleanéd. New foundation should be placed in the frames 
with a frame or two of comb taken from a strong hive. The bees 
which are left in the infected hive should be introduced into the new 
quarters. This colony should be carefully watched until it has re- 
gained normal strength. All of the old or infected comb should be 
burned and the hive should be thoroughly fumigated with carbon bi- 
sulphide or carefully charred by means of a plumber’s blow lamp. 
In combs or honey stored for sometime wax- 
Wax-worms worms frequently make their appearance. These 
may be controlled by putting comb and honey 
in a close room and carefully fumigating with sulphur fumes. 
