Ants Ants in sufficient numbers can cause problems in the apiary by weakening hives or even destroying whole colonies. Strong hives can usually resist any attacks but weak hives are usually the first to succumb. Generally, small ants forage for sugary substances and are natually attracted to the honey stored in the hive. Larger ants such as meat ants are attracted to animal or insect materials. Meat ants in particular feed on bees, dead or alive, and even young bees in the cells where the hive has died out.
Some hygiene is needed for ant control to be effective.
Site the apiary on cleared ground, away from rocks and fallen timber, which are natural nesting places for ants. Honey and burr comb left on the ground will attract ants to the apiary. Remove dead hives or stack and fumigate them in the apiary, so that there is no longer a food source to attract ants. If ants are still a problem after taking normal hygiene measures, they can be controlled using insecticides. Spraying is the most effective control method if ants are known to be a problem at the apiary site.