Another step for SHB control.

[Ray Bayless]

I have found that my bees round up and chase SHB pretty well. I know that SHB lay eggs in small cracks and other inaccessible areas. I would like to know what types of materials are safe for caulking up areas like the gaps on wooden bound queen excluders. I also have Mann Lake hive top  :shock:feeders the plastic twin tank type that provide lots of places for egg laying. I want to use expanding foam to completely seal off the complete underside of these things except for access to the syrup chambers.  If I give the foam time to cure do any of you think this could harm my bees? Can latex caulk be used?

[rbinhood]

Use the latex caulk the foam will degenerate over time.

[scdw43]

Elmer's wood filler.

[Joe D]

I don't use that feeder, but after building a box, I put either glue or liquid nails in the joint cracks.  Smooth it down with putty knife. 



Joe

[Lone]

Hello,

I've used any kind of silicone filler in those gaps before and the bees are still alive.  Today I bought a tub of plasti-bond which the neighbour recommended. I'd not heard of it before but apparently it has multiple uses, and bonds to a variety of surfaces. I specifically wanted it to repair a bottom board the bees chewed out, but I might start using it in other little gaps and defects in the hives.  I don't know if it's toxic, but if the bees start making rock hard honey I'll know they've been licking it.

Lone

[rail]

I mix Titebond 3 and saw dust for wood filler. You can mix the thickness you need or want!