68 
On Rational Bee-Keeping, 
We do not know any specific against the 
ravages of this insect ; for, at the time it makes 
its inroads, it is impossible so to diminish the 
entrance of the hive as absolutely to prevent its 
attacks. Moreover, it never causes the destruc- 
tion of a colony. 
4. As to birds, we have never remarked 
that they in any way hurt the bees when in the 
hive, and there is no means of preventing them 
from catching the bees, as they sometimes do, 
when the latter leave the hive in search of honey. 
We put aside the question of lizards, toads, 
and other insects which rarely make their 
appearance. They do not cause so much harm 
as some bee-masters maintain. 
5. As to ants, the best way to get rid of 
them is to place the floor-boards of the hives on 
a shelf formed by the upper angles of two 
squared joists running parallel to each other, 
from end to end of the bee-house, and so to 
plaster the hives all round that there is no 
possibility of their introducing themselves ex- 
cept by the usual entrance. 
They may also be crushed — this being per- 
haps the best way of scaring those who may 
come after ; or they may be destroyed by 
