Ants are seemingly harmless insects, but they can be very damaging to bee families. They are enemies of bees because they attack a hive of bees and can take out up to a kilo of honey in a day, but they also eat beebread, larvae and are capable of killing adult bees. Ants in beehive can form their nests inside the warming materials and cause a lot of trouble for the bees. In this article I look at different ways to keep ants out of beehives.
Grease the legs of the hive stand
If your hive is on a stand, the only way ants can reach the hive is through the legs. To prevent this, you should lubricate the legs of the stand with grease or a special adhesive composition against ants and mice.
The disadvantage of this method is that over time the composition dries out and it must be periodically updated. It is also necessary to make sure that the grass does not reach any part of the hive. Otherwise the ants will find a way round and your efforts will be in vain.
Put the legs of the hive stand into the container
Another way is to put the legs of the stand in some containers. Pour used machine oil into the containers. This will create a barrier for ants, because to climb up to the hive they need to overcome this oily barrier, which they are unable to do.
The disadvantage of this method is that water can get into the container, which will squeeze out the oil and then evaporate. Also in the container can fall leaves and other debris, on which the ants will make their way. Also, tall grass, if not mowed, can become a bypass route for ants.
Put cinnamon in the hive
If you put a little cinnamon on the canvas and on the ends of the hive, it can deter ants that like to settle in the upper space of the hive.
The disadvantage of this method is that over time the smell of cinnamon fades and ants will reappear in the hive.
Put salt around the hive
Salt also deters ants. If you put salt on the ants’ paths and around the hive, the ants will leave.
The disadvantage of this method is that over time, the salt dissolves from the rain and goes into the ground and the ants have a free way out again.
Put some millet around the hive
Similar to the previous method, but instead of salt you can use millet.
The disadvantage of this method is the same – over time the millet soaks and goes into the ground and is partially nibbled by birds. The ants have a free way out again.
Relocate the anthill away from the apiary
To control ants, it is effective to place the entire anthill in a box and move it away from the apiary when you find it. Do not smoke, pour boiling water or chemicals on ants as some beekeepers do. Chemicals are not only harmful to ants, who are to some extent natural sanitarians, but also spoil the soil.
Maintain strong bee colonies
It should be stressed that ants predominantly attack weak colonies that are not able to give a proper response to the attack, so if the apiary has problems related to ant theft – it can be regarded as a signal that the apiary is weakened and it is necessary to take measures to build up bee colonies, which simply will not allow ants in the hive.
Ants and bees have been neighbours for a long time, fulfilling their useful functions in nature. Therefore, it is not possible to remove them completely from the apiary. It is necessary to make sure that their number does not become very large by applying the methods described above. But it must be remembered that all methods of ant control are temporary. Therefore, the most important advice from me would be to keep strong bee colonies, which themselves will be able to fight off unwanted visitors.