THE APIARY. 143 



sweetened, be placed at night among the hives, in while dishes, 

 many millers will be drowned. Moth " traps " form the basis of 

 a considerable trade. Some of these might be well enough il 

 they were empted and the worms destroyed every week; but 

 as they are usually neglected, they become "moth nurseries," 

 instead of traps. 



"Worms may be trapped early in the season, by laying pieces 

 of shingle or split elder, the hollowing side down, upon the bot- 

 tom-board. The worms will retreat under these to spin their 

 cocoons, and must be destroyed once or twice a week, or they 

 " take unto themselves wings and fly away." The moth is less 

 troublesome in large apiaries. The sprightly little wren, if en- 

 couraged to build its nest near the hives, will destroy myriads 

 of worms and insects. They are easily attracted, by putting up 

 boxes made three inches square, with an inch and a half hole 

 for an entrance. 



ANTS AND OTHER VEKMIN. 



Ants will frequently get into the chamber of the hive if not 

 properly constructed, and whenever disturbed are very annoying 

 to both the bees and the keeper. To banish them from the hive 

 start them out with smoke and brush a little spirits of turpen- 

 tine where they "most do congregate," and should they have a 

 hillock near treat it a few times to warm soapsuds, and the ants 

 will bid you a long adieu. If spirits of turpentine be not at 

 hand, the leaves of catnip, tansy or black walnut, placed in their 

 "retreats," will usually drive them away. Spiders often spin 

 their webs about the hives and ensnare some bees. They should 



