Question about ants

[Ciaran]

I have noticed ants in the last few days hanging around outside the hive. What is the best remedy or maybe I can let them co-habit. Thanks in advance

 

[B+.]

I have noticed ants in the last few days hanging around outside the hive. What is the best remedy or maybe I can let them co-habit. Thanks in advance

They shouldn't be a problem if the colony is strong enough to deal with any interlopers.
If your hive is right on top of the nest, it could be attracting a lot of attention though.

 

[colinc]

I had large numbers last year in 1 hive but no issues this year. The hives are stronger this year though but possible the ants are less so this year. You can if there is a mass of traffic put stand legs on blocks (to keep them clean and dry) in a shallow container of oil. It doesn't evaporate and stops the ants getting onto the hive stand.
I believe ants are a much bigger issue with certain species in the States.


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[Millet]

Will ants rob out honey stores, the reason i ask one of my hives a Nuc has a Ant nest under the paving stone the stand sits on and that same hive was nearly robbed to the point of starvation two weeks ago, i blamed another colony but could it have been the ants.

 

[colinc]

Will ants rob out honey stores, the reason i ask one of my hives a Nuc has a Ant nest under the paving stone the stand sits on and that same hive was nearly robbed to the point of starvation two weeks ago, i blamed another colony but could it have been the ants.

I don't know. I had a constant stream last year going in through the omf inspection access. People on here said the bees will sort it but I got no crop I put down to splits. I can't see it being a major issue but I poured boiling water on the nearest nest last year, I know it wouldn't kill them all but just wanted to reduce the numbers a bit....


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[Softley]

I have noticed ants in the last few days hanging around outside the hive. What is the best remedy or maybe I can let them co-habit. Thanks in advance

Ants hanging around outside? If they're smoking fags and drinking larger, this will upset the bees. I'd politely ask them to move on.

 

[Finman]

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Give pyrethrin and one day they are finish.

.

 

[Millet]

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Give pyrethrin and one day they are finish.

.

I thought about Ant powder but if they do not die straight away my thought is the Ants may well transfare the powder into the hive with disastrous results.

 

[Finman]

I thought about Ant powder but if they do not die straight away my thought is the Ants may well transfare the powder into the hive with disastrous results.

With pyrethrin they die in 2 seconds.

 

[colinc]

If they die that quick you won't kill the nest so safer and cheaper to use boiling water which won't kill a nest either....


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[Finman]

If they die that quick you won't kill the nest so safer and cheaper to use boiling water which won't kill a nest either....


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I kill ants when they move their eggs into hive loft.

 

[Millet]

If they die that quick you won't kill the nest so safer and cheaper to use boiling water which won't kill a nest either....


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100% there is no chance of me putting insecticide anywhere near my hives.

 

[jmcg]

Leave the crown boards slots opened the bees will sort them out

 

[Eyeman]

Leave the crown boards slots opened the bees will sort them out

There goes my roof insultation again!

 

[Finman]

Leave the crown boards slots opened the bees will sort them out

IT seems, that you do not have experience about that strategy. Bees glue such gaps with propolis for their safety.

Crown board is purpose to keep closed and ants off.

 

[Vortex]

Nippon sell a kit designed for indoor use .. it's a covered tray with upto 4 side slits (depends how many you open). These are large enough for ants to enter but not bees.
To go with this they sell a liquid ant bait .. put a squeeze into the tray, replace the lid, and place where the ants are traversing.
You can use them quite safely inside a hive or in the roof space. Takes a week or 2 to kill the whole ant nest depending on the nest size. I use these on a regular basis with out issue.