How to get rid of ants in an apiary with folk remedies

Ants and apiary, almost incompatible concepts. Although some species of these insects quietly coexist with bees, but most of them are not averse to climb into the honeycomb and enjoy honey, and at the same time bee eggs. Ants can also attack adult bees, infect them with various diseases and bring a fungus into their housing. Therefore, it is very important to take timely measures to protect the apiary. You will learn how to get rid of ants in an apiary from this article.

Is it worth it to destroy

Before starting to fight with ants, it is necessary to determine the type of "robbers" and the place of their deployment. Insects that live in the forest come to the hives for lunch only. Garden ants I’m not averse to building my nest in the hives themselves: both the house is nearby and food is nearby. Usually they prefer to settle in the gaps between the boards, under the skin or in the insulation. But red antsliving in a person’s housing can occasionally visit for a treat.

On a note!

Do not forget that the ants living in the garden and the house are pests, the inhabitants of the forest are beneficial insect. Therefore, it is preferable that the fight against ants in the apiary be as humane as possible and do without victims.

How to prevent an insect attack

The first thing to do so that the ants in the hive does not start is to properly build the structure and install it. It is enough that the evidence stood on metal legs with a smooth surface, and you won’t have to fight pests at all - they simply will not be able to climb.

Bee houses can be protected if their legs are wrapped with a woolen cloth pre-soaked in machine oil, targasoline or kerosene.

In the absence of such an opportunity, a cellophane film is laid at the bottom of the evidence so that at least 10 cm sag on each side of its edge. Ants will not be able to overcome such a barrier.

To prevent the invasion of pests in the apiary will help ordinary tape. They are wrapped around the base of the hives so that the sticky side is on top. Periodically such traps need to be updated.

Ants will not appear in the apiary if you remove tall grass and bushes through which insects can easily climb the hive. The same applies to the arrival board for bees.

Particular attention should be paid to the hives themselves: dry planks must be replaced on time. This will limit the ability of insects to settle in crevices.

On a note!

Another way to protect the bees is to dig a ditch around the perimeter of the apiary and fill it with water. Ants cannot overcome this obstacle. But for bees such a watering hole will be very useful.

Methods of struggle

You can fight ants in an apiary using various methods of control.

The use of chemicals

When buying chemical preparations, it should be remembered that both ants and bees are representatives of the hymenopteran order. In this connection, many poisons can affect insects equally. Therefore, before use, you should carefully study the instructions and do not neglect safety measures.

The use of supersulfate will not only scare ants, but also get rid of them.Hexachloran and DDT insecticides are no less effective. The product is treated with ant trails or used to lubricate the legs of the hives, mixing them with various mineral oils. However, according to many beekeepers, these funds are dangerous for the environment and especially for humans.

Ant-eater - Another remedy for ants in the apiary. It kills insects in a very short period of time, without accumulating in the soil and without affecting earthworms.

Folk remedies

You can protect the hive with folk remedies:

• Salt - it is scattered along the paths of movement of insects. You can also use saline, which is sprayed around the hives. No more ants will return to the apiary.
• Dry mustard, soda or ash. The product is scattered under the hives and along the paths of insects.
• Onion - to prevent goosebumps in a bee hive, just crush it and spread it over the apiary.
• Leaves of parsley, mint or wormwood, tops of tomatoes and cloves of garlic - using these natural means, it will be possible to eliminate uninvited guests from the apiary in a few days.
• Sunflower oil will help get rid of ants in a hive with bees. It’s enough to fill it in anthilland the insects will no longer disturb the bees.
• Digging up a nest and moving it to a remote place is the easiest way to fight that beekeeping knows. The only thing to make sure is queen uterus not always succeeds.
• Getting ants out of the hive will help boric acid and yeast. And for the mixture to attract the attention of the bee dweller destroyers, it must be sweetened with jam or honey.
• Walnut leaves have a deterrent effect. It is enough to place them under the insulation and goosebumps will soon leave the hive.
• To reduce the number of the ant family in the apiary, hens will help eat ants.
• Digging up the soil regularly is another effective method of controlling garden ants.