Anyone want to get high?

[David McLeod]

That's a 36 footer leaning against the wall. The bees are directly above in the soffit. The inside has a floor at the second level and open all the way to the ceiling/roof. This is a church and all the interior walls are t&g western red. Any options other than a 60 foot articulated lift?

[AllenF]

Lots of scaffold sections.  Lots.   I would get a 60' boom.  I was on a 35' all day today.   Wished I had a 60'.  Just not to have to move around so much. 

Don't forget the delivery fee with the big lift rentals  in the estimate. 

[David McLeod]

Yep, lift it is. Going to make for an interesting cutout. I usually like to set up with my cutting table right next to me a cut and band as I go, not an option on this one I guess.
Now figure this, I just bought fifty foot of pool hose yesterday and the very next job I look at and I still come up short. Go figure.

[AllenF]

Cut you a 4' square plywood to place (u bolt, plastic ties, or rope it down) on the top rail on half of the basket to place everything you are working with.   beats having to bend down every 30 seconds.   And you can still keep the bottom of that side of the basket to keep stuff.   

And don't forget your safety harness.   

[David McLeod]

Great idea, I'll do it but I am quite sure I'll drop half of the stuff I need.

[Robo]

Any options other than a 60 foot articulated lift?

Ya, leave them be.

I had a similar issue with a church about 8 years ago.   Way high up with a slate roof.  The side the bees where on was on a steep slope with a cemetery below.  No way to get a lift or bucket truck in there and scaffolding would have been a nightmare to get in and set up.   It was on the back side of the church, way up high, and no where near any foot traffic,  so I convinced them to just let them be.   I set a swarm trap out in a tree in the cemetery to catch any swarms and hopefully prevent them from moving in another place closer to foot traffic.  Got a swarm or two most years.  A couple of years ago, they got a new grounds keeper and he wasn't interested in keeping contact.   Last time I was by there, seems they are still there.

[David McLeod]

That would have been my recommendation except that wall is open to the sanctuary and the bees are entering the interior of the church at the tops of the windows on each side the ladder. I was not able to rule out the wall as the core of the colony. All I could deduce was entry at the soffit.

[duck]

ugh. tell em they are going to need a big stained glass window when you cut that big hole in the wall..  :-D

[Michael Bush]

>Ya, leave them be.

Agreed.  Walk away.

[vmmartin]

I would see if anyone in your area rents a towable manlift.  They can go up to 50' high at your feet and you can pull it behind a half ton truck.  Much less expensive than a 60' and you do not have to figure in delivery and pick up. PM your location and I will see if I can help you locate one should you decide to go that route.

[David McLeod]

I gave them a four figure quote, looks like they'll bite. I should've doubled it.

[David McLeod]

With all due respect, I do this for a living so "walk away" is not an option unless it is absolutely physically impossible to do. Of course everything has a price as well and that can always be adjusted to make it doable.
Cutting into that one is a no brainer for me considering I also do bat removals and exclusions so lifts are nothing new to me. I don't like them but I am all to familiar with them. I knew the answer before I ever asked the question, just threw it out there to generate comments as I am always open to suggestions.

[Michael Bush]

If you "have to do it" I'd get a cherry picker that will reach...

[Ben Framed]

WOW!! That's to high for me!! What a tall ladder!

[Michael Bush]

Just to be clear, I would walk away... that is the best option in my opinion...

[Ben Framed]

Just to be clear, I would walk away... that is the best option in my opinion...

Sometimes we just have to say no... I agree with you, this might be one of those times!!

Phillip

[G3farms]

Boom lift for sure.
As said earlier piece of plywood for a work table.
I have done several like this and use a robo style bee vac.
Tie the bee vac and the shop vac to the outside of the boom lift basket, this will give you more room inside of the basket for yourself. Also tie a couple of 5 gallon buckets to the outside of the basket for tools and water to rinse in.

Nothing but another cut out.

[Ben Framed]

G3, your plan makes it sound much more inviting than the ladder pictured in the OP..