My (2) hives are set on stands made of angle iron about 18" off the ground. I have the legs of the stands set in empty tuna fish cans. If I put petroleum oil in the cans or on the legs of the hives, will the bees be harmed? What about vegetable oil? Would the vegetable oil kill any ants?
I have also used axle grease on the legs of the stands - some bees got trapped in it. Will the bees be harmed by the grease?
In Texas our fire ants can wipe out a hive quick if the hive is weak and invaded.
Second part. Although I try and avoid the use of chemicals I like the idea of ROundup around my hives. I've been severly stung while mowing/week wacking (not I mow or weed wack fully suited.) How bad is Round Up vs. time and repeated need to mow or weed wack?
Thanks.
Vegitable oil serves more to create a barrier than to kill the ants, but, they will be killed by suffocation but, that takes a few days. As for keeping weeds down, I just keep my bees about 8 inches off the ground on cinderblocks and, I actually layed concreate below the hives but, the ones which I couldn't (land doesn't belong to me) I just put some old fallen shingles from the last hurrican for the two feet infront of the hive. That keeps the weeds and grasses down just fine.
Thanks Nathan - I do have some old concrete pavers I could put under and around the hive and some old shingles too. Good idea. Will try the vegetable oil as well. Thanks. Lauren
Just one more thing; ants (even fire ants) can be repelled by a few tablespoons of cinemon around the hive and, even on the enterence of the hive. The ants can't stand it, but the bees don't seem to notice.