DESTROYING MOTH* MILLERS. 
103 
THE MOTH-MILLER. 
TVe 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 cause, 
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, is- m«i«. 
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. Moth-proof 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 
