Beekeepers are entitled to protect their colonies from any form of harm. The industrious insects travel miles and miles to gather food resources, make delicious products and immaculate structures, and ensure crops are well-pollinated. They are also hunted on every side by predators who are out to destroy their invested labor. 

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Can ants destroy a beehive?

Ants are social insects, just like bees, and the sweet scent of honey draws them to beehives. Their love for sweet things is incredible! They are opportunistic and mainly attack weak colonies. If you discover ants in any of your colonies, know there is an underlying problem, and the hive could be at the point of collapse. A strong, healthy colony can defend itself from ants. The ants enjoy the delicious honey and take the bee larvae, a rich protein source. They can’t access any of these if the colony is vibrant. 

An attack on a colony by ants affects them significantly by feeding on the honey stores. This may ruin the ability to make it through the winter. Affected colonies end up absconding from the hives.  If there are just a few ants in the hive, there is usually there is no cause for alarm. Ants usually sneak between the inner and top cover. Besides being a warm space, it is also closer to the food sources they are seeking. Omnivorous ants also tend to feed on the brood. Some ant species, such as the Argentine, usually use their large numbers aggressively. They also carry some viruses, such as the Deformed wing virus, which adversely affects developing bees. If ants manage to destroy a hive, they use the honeycomb for their new home. 

How do l get rid of ants from a beehive?

If ants invade your beehives, here are ways to eliminate them.

Remove the Ants Physically

You can brush the ants off the hive. By removing their eggs, you keep them from hatching in the beehive. This method helps if you cut their access point. 

Using Bee-Friendly Ant Killer

Ants and bees are closely related, meaning what harms the ants is likely to harm the ants. You can use a natural ant bait to avoid hurting the bees. 

Finding their Access Point

Ants will usually crawl on something to get to the hive. If your hive is on the ground, be sure to use a stand. If there is a branch touching the hive, you should remove it. This will stop them from accessing the nest. 

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How to Avoid Ant Infestation in Your hive

There are various of keeping ants out of your bee colonies. 

Remove Natural Bridges to the Hive

Natural bridges or access points may be weeds, a ladder, wild grasses, or tree branches. You can consider clearing the bushes around and preventing undergrowth by spreading gravel. 

Keep Your Apiary Clean

You should avoid spillages of sugar syrup on the apiary. Again, refrain from throwing pieces of honeycombs or other hive debris around the yard. These attract insects like ants that are looking for a free meal. 

Create a Moat

You can consider placing the hive stand legs in a dish of soapy water to deter ants from climbing into the hive. You should ensure the dish is wide enough to leave enough space between the leg and the dish’s end. 

Get Rid of Ant Mounds

If you come across an ant nest on your property, it is best to treat and get rid of it. You can use natural insecticide dust to eliminate it. The ant-proof deterrent at the foot of the beehive should be filled afresh periodically. 

Use a Hive Stand

A Hive stand helps to raise a hive from the ground. This Makes it harder for the ants to access the colony. It also deters them from building nests under the hive’s wooden structure.  You can consider applying a substance such as Vaseline, grease, or tangle foot to keep the legs from becoming the ant’s highway to the hive. 

Use Beehive Ant Barriers

You can use a barrier area on the ground with diatomaceous earth or wood ash to create a barrier on the floor. Another way is spreading dry cinnamon around the hive. The ants hate the smell and will avoid the area. You should re-apply these after raining. 

Plant Mint Around the Hive

Mint is a natural herb that repels ants. It grows and spreads quite fast. It can also be a potential nectar source for buzzing creatures.