Warre hive and ants

[lof]

Hi

I started a new Warre hive this spring and one of the issues i encountered about a week after transferring bees into it was that the bottom hive (empty) was invaded by ants after a large storm. Ants actuall built a nest on the outside between the lid and the quilt box - very warm area in Florida. I cleaned the nest and the bees took care of the invaders once I put the stand legs into water cans.
I have no problems with andts in my Langs. It think the issue is that in the Warre the bees live in the top hive and there are fewer guards at the entrance especially in bad weather.
Here are some pictures and video of bees fighting ants.
(cant put links in as new member - hopefully admin will insert it)
does anyone have the same experience with Warres?

Thanks

http://beginnerbeekeeper.blogspot.com/2011/03/attack-of-ants.html

[Bamabww]

Thanks for sharing those photos and video. That was interesting.  Sorry can't offer any advice.

[gardeningfireman]

Just watched your video. It looks to me like the bee was losing that battle. I had the same problem with my TBH's last year. This year they are going on a stand with legs in cans of oil. Good luck!

[lof]

Yes, this bee lost the battle as did few others that evening, but the bottom hive was clean of ants by the morning, so the girls took care of them

[blist]

dust anywhere they can crawl in with DE (diatomaceous earth)

you will have to keep applying it now and then but it should keep the ants away, I have to dust the legs and sides of my biopods (for black soldier flies) because the ants love the food thrown in there for composting

there is a huge ant problem where I live

[lof]

Doesn't the DE cut off the legs of the bees that walk in it?
I'd hate to hurt them

I have put the legs of the stand into little buckets filled with oil. that seemed to take care of that.
Warre is building up nice

check the blog at the link above for new pictures and video.

Time lapse of honey management in Warre hive