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Bee-proofing your home or any other structure
is simply fixing it so bees will not find it suitable as a
nesting site. Bees usually look for a location that is clean,
dry and out of the weather. They prefer an enclosed space,
or void, when they can find one. This means they love the
hollow wall construction so common here in Southern California.
We rarely insulate the walls so they are a whole series of
suitable nesting spaces for bees, all the bees need is an
entrance. Any gap, crack, hole or opening larger than 1/8th
of an inch that leads into any sort of void is a potential
entrance.
Bee-proofing is sealing, patching, screening
or otherwise closing any of these potential entrances. This
can be done with caulking, stucco or plaster patching material,
wire mesh, any number of materials. The bee-proofing hints
will be listed by patching material.
*Note: Any materials shown should not be
taken as a recommendation of a specific brand or product by
the department. It is simply an example of the type of product
that is available from local hardware/building supply stores.
| Stucco
and plaster patching materials |
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Added Conduit
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Tools
and Equipment
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Before
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After
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Some
holes, like this one in a block wall, will need backing
(crumpled up newspaper, etc.) pushed into the hole to
guarantee a good seal
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The stucco and plaster patching materials
are permanent solutions for holes or cracks in situations
involving a wide variety of building materials. Once the patching
material is finished off smooth and allowed to dry it can
be primed and painted to match the rest of the structure.
In the case of a block wall, a plant or vine can be planted
to cover the patch.
The patching material is usually sold as
a powder. It is mixed with water according to the label directions.
The only other items needed are a container to mix it in and
a putty knife to apply it.
This method is quicker and easier than
the stucco and plaster patch and can be used in a wider variety
of situations. It is not the best choice for a permanent solution.
It can be knocked out or, if there is some reason the bees
think they need to get in, it can be chewed through by bees.
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Newly
added conduit
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Before
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After
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Foam
with applicator
tip attached
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Here
the foam was used to fill a hole in a block wall.
Note that it is next to the hole filled with patching
plaster.
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Insulating foam is quick and easy to use.
The can comes with an applicator tip so there are no other
tools necessary to use the foam. In many situations it should
not be used as a permanent solution. In places where the hole
is large or exposed to weather the foam is a good, temporary
fix until a permanent repair can be done. In areas where there
is a history of bee activity, steel wool should be inserted
into the opening before the foam is applied. Otherwise the
bees will chew through it.
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Here
is an entrance to a bee colony that was
sealed with foam but the bees were not eradicated. The
bees chewed through a small area. That was re-sealed
(light color foam) and the bees chewed through that.
This was a healthy, thriving colony when the photo was
taken.
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