Source: Landwirtschaftskammer Oberösterreich
With the onset of spring - from February to April, depending on the region - ants can become a challenge for bee colonies.
Pantry for ants
At the end of winter, when spring arrives (depending on the region, from February to April), the wood ants' hunger is already immense. Ants feed primarily on proteins and carbohydrates. A bee colony, with its stores of honey, pollen, and winter food, is a highly sought-after food source. Dead bees on the ground or in front of the entrance are also on the menu.
If ants manage to get into the bee colony, they run around the bottom of the hive and carry away dead bees, fallen pollen bags and crystallized winter food © Landwirtschaftskammer Oberösterreich/Köppl
Wood ants in spring
Wood ants like to stay near a beehive and try to get into the colony. If they succeed, they wander around the bottom of the hive, dragging away dead bees, fallen pollen stalks, and crystallized winter food. However, wood ants do not pose a "real" threat to bee colonies. If at all, only (very) weak colonies are at risk. Ants usually have an easy time of it here and can, under certain circumstances, penetrate and rob the colony without much effort. In extreme cases, they can even occupy the colony. Narrowed entrance holes often make it difficult for wood ants to enter in the spring. If bees have difficulty defending themselves against an incursion by ants, you should consider moving the affected colony away. In this context, it is very important that the adjacent colonies are strong enough to defend themselves against the perceived intruders. The "ant pressure" in the colony decreases when other food sources are available in nature. As bee colonies enter their "spring development," colony strength increases, and so do their defense mechanisms. Meadow ants are also a nuisance for beekeepers, especially if they have their underground nests near the apiary or hive.
Meadow ants in summer
Meadow ants are also a nuisance for beekeepers, especially if they have their underground nests near the apiary or hive. They temporarily seek out temperate breeding sites for their pupae, often using gaps under metal lids or hive lids on plastic wrap. Ants can find just as many hiding and nesting sites in a beehive. Repeatedly sweeping away the pupae can cause meadow ants to disappear.
Be careful when using insecticides!
Some beekeepers use approved biocides to repel ants. These are available from specialist retailers, for example, as bait cans, sprays, or granules for sprinkling, or as liquids for watering. They can be used indoors, but also on patios and paths. Some products contain attractants that can also be attractive to bees. Unfortunately, such products can also contain active ingredients that are very dangerous to bees (e.g., fipronil, spinosad) or substances that are problematic for bees (synthetic pyrethroids such as permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, etc.). There are also products based on the neonicotinoid active ingredient acetamiprid.
Therefore, special care should be taken when using such attractants!