ENEMIES OF THE BEE 113 
empty combs that may lie within its purview 
are immediately commandeered for its own 
particular purposes—even when combs are 
kept for warmth in a super or section crate 
on the quilt inside the hive they are not safe 
from the ravages of this pest. Its eggs are 
deposited in the cells and the combs rendered 
useless. 
One of the best traps for catching earwigs 
is the old-fashioned one of a plant-pot filled 
with moss and placed upside down on the 
end of a stake. The pot and its contents 
should be dropped into boiling water at 
regular intervals of a few days. 
Mice.—Both house and field mice are 
included in the bee-keeper’s black list. Their 
raids are seldom made in summer-time, espe- 
cially if the hives are up to strength, but in 
winter it is no uncommon occurrence to find 
them in possession of a hive. It is probably 
the sweet scent and suggestion of warmth 
that first attract them to explore the hive, but 
once inside they begin the work of devas- 
tation. They are keen after the farinaceous 
pollen and demolish the combs to get to 
their stores. 
The only effective way to prevent the 
entry of mice is to place a piece of zinc 
I 
