I just looked at my hives. I have a horizontal hive that is about 1/2 occupied. I found ants taking up residence in the unoccupied 1/2. I killed as many as I could. Any suggestions on how to exterminate them without hurting the bees.
I have set bowls under the feet with used oil in them just a little this keeps the ants off the legs. Just keep eye on weeds growing and leaning against a leg to make a bridge.
John
Is your hive on cinder blocks or a hive stand if its on hive do the oil but if its on blocks then put some diatomaceous earth around the hive only problem with this is when it rains it washes it away. also is inner cover on upside down?
It won't kill the ants but they don't like cinnamon. I sprinkle it on my inner covers when they decide to take up residence between the inner and top cover.
I like the cinnamon approach. The ants are already in the empty end of the hive.
The ants around my place just walked right on top of the cinnamon. So I put the stand legs in butter bowls filled with water. They made a bridge and walked across other ants to get in the hive. So I put burnt motor oil in the bowls instead. It stopped the ants. When it rains the oil comes out I have to remove as much water as I can and refill with oil Ditto on the tall weeds or grass - great ant ladder.
Put used coffee grounds around the base of the hive or put it in the cans.
Jim
small shop vac. the small attachment for cleaning keyboards helps.
The shop vac would be great if I has power at my hives. I suppose I could take out the generator.