142 DESTROYING MOTH-MILLERS. 



THE MOTH-MILLER. 



We regard the fear entertained of the moth-miller as misdi- 

 rected and more imaginary than real. As long as a stock is 

 strong and in good condition it is safe, but should it be suffered 

 to decline from over-swarming, loss of queen, or other causc^ 

 the eggs of the miller are allowed to hatch in the exposed 

 combs, and as the bees die off from natural causes the moth- 

 worms increase, and (if not dislodged) finally gain entire pos- 

 session. The female miller is much 

 larger than the male, and resembles 

 in color a sliver from a weather 

 beaten fence rail. During the day, ". Male, 

 she may often be found sticking about the cover 

 14. Female. of the hive. Toward evening, she will be flitting 

 about the entrance, and if the combs are not covered with bees, 

 or cracks and crevices can be found, or litter is retained on the 

 bottom-board, she will be at no loss for a place to deposit her 

 eggs within the hive. There can be no "moth-proof" hive; but 

 if the entrance be on one side only, and the bottom-board is in- 

 clined, the bees have all the protection against these intruders 

 that a hive can afford. Mothproof hives (so called) are owned 

 either by persons of little information, or sold to such by un- 

 principled venders, as well informed bee-keepers know how to 

 prevent the ravages of the moth, and also know that in warm 

 weather, more or less moth eggs are present in all the combs. 

 Hence, a real moth-proof hive must also exclude the bees. Dur- 

 ing the summer months, if a mixture of vinegar and water, well 



