Sealing colony in tree hollow - entrance

[montauk170]

Hey all,

A tree company called me to help them seal up the entrance of a colony 30+ ft up before they cut it down.
Not sure how large the entrance is but I was thinking of #8 hardware cloth or aluminum window screen.

The part I want to know is, what do you use in terms of nails, screws, staples or strip tacks or what.?
What's a good method to ensure zero holes that the bees can escape from under the screen?

Thanks

Jack

[hardwood]

I use #8 hardware cloth and screw it to the tree so it's easier to take back off. Ask for truss head screws (they have a large head that won't pull through the screen).

It works really well on smooth bark trees. For rougher bark (like live oak) it takes more time to block all of the possible passages in the bark "cracks".

Scott

[G3farms]

stuff a rag in the hole while they are cutting and pull it out just as they are leaving. Get them to tie some baling twine on the rag for a more remote rag removal. Works very well. Had some tree cutters do it last year and since it took several days to work the tree down they loved it.

I have also used an old bed sheet wrapped around several holes and then duct tape it up, this also works well.

[beetalkin]

I have used window screen and roofing tacks. staples should work fine if they're long enough.  seal them in at night.  maybe use caulk if the tree bark is rough.  drill holes to find the top & bottom of the cavity.  saw off the top first. use rope to tie hive section to the stump above & below bottom cut so it won't fall. make bottom cut. lower hive into truck. cut out at home.

[Michael Bush]

It's handy to have some duct tape, Stapler, nails, screws and chalk.  And, of course screen or #8 hardware cloth.