§ XIX. DRONE-TRAPS.
If the increase of drones grows into an intolerable nuisance a trap may be applied for their partial extermination. Aston's drone-trap is an ingenious contrivance, though we recommend its use only under limitations. It consists of a box to affix to the hive entrance, with an opening from the inside, but no means of exit except through perforations which admit only the workers; the bees are attracted into it by the light, while their proper flight-hole is darkened by a ridge over which they can just make their way into the hive. The drones are thus left in the box to perish. The objections which we have to the trap are—first, that the surmounting of the ridge must surely prove an impediment to the work of the bees; secondly, that the ridge obstructs ventilation; and thirdly, that should the queen stray into the trap, she will, unless promptly discovered, soon share the same fate with the drones. But if the trap be applied only for an hour or so at the part of the day when the drones are leaving the hive in the greatest numbers, it may then perhaps sufficiently effect its purpose and be free from any serious drawback.