Abstract:

Other than ants, NaLIRRI has identified many honeybee pests, including methods for their control. As methods for controlling more individual pests are being developed, regular apiary management and hygiene remains a vital aspect in honeybee pest control. Ants are among the many identified bee pests in Uganda. The common ants which have invaded the bee industry in Uganda as potential pests are:- the black ants (big & small), safari ants, sugar ants and weaver ants. Much as they are widely distributed throughout the country, most bee farmers do not know the gravity of their effects on the bee colonies, bee products and the economic loss to the bee industry. However, these ants can be controlled using very simple techniques that are locally developed. The exception is that most bee farmers in Uganda do not have the information at hand. The developed techniques are environmentally friendly and have no negative setbacks on organic honey production.