Effective ways to control ants in an apiary
Experienced beekeepers know firsthand about the problem with ants. Various methods of fighting ants in the apiary are used, and often the fight drags on for a long time, since it is impossible to quickly deal with them. There are many methods for getting rid of unwanted occupants, but the most appropriate option should be chosen based on the specific situation.
What is most often used in the fight against ants
- It won't take long to fight ants in the apiary if you use supersulfate. This method will not only scare the ants, but also completely destroy them.
- Modern insecticides such as DDT and hexachlorane have proven themselves well. The tool should be used to treat ant paths. Alternatively, the mixture can be mixed with various mineral oils and spread over the legs of the hives.
In the course of specially organized observations, it was revealed that hexachloran is very effective in fighting ants in an apiary. This method is good in that it allows you to most radically deal with unwanted guests in the apiary. It quickly eliminates ants and eliminates their breeding and wintering sites. The method is often used by experienced beekeepers, because it quickly kills ants, and does not just disperse them.
The effectiveness of the toxic components of hexachlorane has been proven precisely in the DDT mixture. After using the product, the question of how to deal with ants in the apiary became irrelevant for beekeepers for a long time, because the insects immediately died.
Read also the article: what to do if a bee has bitten in the neck and it is swollen?
Folk methods of fighting ants
A lot has been written about how to get rid of ants in an apiary, but it is not easy to find an effective method in a particular case. What had an immediate effect in one situation, in another may be inactive. Therefore, beekeepers often study folk methods. Sometimes they turn out to be much more effective than others:
- Bow. It should be crushed and spread throughout the entire apiary. He is able to eliminate all unwanted residents in a short time.
- Another proven and easy way is sulfur. With its help, you can force ants not only to move, but also to completely destroy them.
- Tomatoes are quite effective in fighting ants in an apiary. They should be planted near the hives because they scare away unwanted guests.
- To get rid of ants, you can use fine table salt. It is poured near hives... As a rule, after this the ants do not return.
- The easiest way is to dig up the ant's nest and move it to another location. But he has one drawback: there is no complete guarantee of getting rid of the uterus, since it can hide very deeply.
- Using strong odors to scare off ants is very effective. You can put smoked herring, garlic cut into several cloves, tomato tops or parsley leaves next to insects.
- Hot ash helps well in the fight against ants in the apiary.
- Sprinkle cinnamon over the holes and wait for the insects to disappear forever.
- The vegetable oil also helps eliminate unwanted guests from apiaries... You don't even have to move the anthill.
- Loosen the ant nest and sprinkle tobacco dust on it.
The methods described are most effective when applied in early spring. After that, you can forget about insects forever.
Why are ants in the apiary harmful
Insects are located in the apiary, as there is a warmed place. Most often they are arranged in the space between the walls of the hive. The phenomenon is especially often seen during a cold snap. It is at this time that ants make their way to the apiary to lay eggs and hatch offspring in a warm place. In addition, insects do not need to worry about food, since there is enough for the ants in the hive.
Ants in an apiary are especially dangerous because they can carry various infections and bacteria when they crawl from one hive to another.
Even if the ants in the apiary do not build their homes in the hives, they are no less harmful. Insects regularly transfer honey to their nests.
Ant control tips from experienced beekeepers
The fight against ants in the apiary can take a long time. A large assortment of drugs is presented in pet stores. In order not to spend a lot of time and effort eliminating unwanted insects, you can purchase a special product. It contains poison that instantly kills ants. Modern drugs quickly act on pests. Within a few days not a trace will remain of them.
Often, the fight against ants in an apiary with folk remedies gives good results. Gasoline used to be one of the common methods. Due to the lack of special preparations on sale, beekeepers had to let the means at hand enter. Even now, experienced beekeepers assure that their efficiency is much higher than some purchased ones. Alternatively, you can use diesel fuel if it catches fire. This method should be used with extreme care so as not to burn the apiary.
Tricks in the fight against insects in the apiary:
- Having started a fight with dodgy insects, it is important to remember that they will first of all save the queen. To do this, they are ready to climb into the fire themselves.
- If you use more humane methods, such as pouring boiling water, then it is important to completely wash out the anthill so that the uterus is boiled in it.
- If the anthill is located close to the hive, then it is useful to grease its legs with garlic or Alt glue. These smells quickly scare away insects.
- It is useful to make a moat with water on the territory of the apiary. Ants will not be able to crawl over it, and bees will drink water from it.
- You can make a sweet puddle next to the anthill, into which you should crumble the candy or spread jam in it. When enough insects are collected in it, they are poured with boiling water. This method is characterized by temporary effectiveness. After a while, guests can return to the apiary.