Could Use Some "Clean Out" Advice Please

[Pink Cow]

Quick story:
Bees establish a hive in a built-in tool box on the back of a large road/earth grader. Hive is abandoned a year or two later, then over several years, they come for a year or two, abandon it, then others come back and establish a colony. This has happened three times. The owner is very bee-friendly and hates the fact that when he (rarely) has to use the grader bees are sucked into the radiator and killed. Right now, the hive is empty again but I took a look the other day and a good number of bees were flying in for a look around. Could be the start of the next occupation, but who knows? The coolest thing is that there is a heavy chain on the bottom of the box and they've propolized it to the point that it takes much force to loosen even a single link.

I've been asked if I would remove the comb and clean the box so they quit occupying it, and the owner would love to have bees around so I can leave a bait hive nearby if I choose and keep the bees there should we catch them, and any honey harvested. I would use some of the existing comb in empty frames for this.

Question:
What would be the best way to try and ensure that the bees don't go back in after I clean it? I would obviously remove every bit I possibly could but realize this might not be enough. Is there something I should spray? I was thinking of using some material to basically fill the box so they can't build in it again. Wood, maybe? Rocks? Possibly tightly scrunched chicken wire or something?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Jahjude]

Sounds to me like u already got it all figured out Pink,remove frames,clean box properly to rid it of residues and keep filled-prevention dsnt get much easier than that now does it :-\

[G3farms]

If this is a metal tool box and you have access to a steam cleaner give it a good washing out, might try some bleach and water to get rid of any left over pheromones.

Sounds like you have a good plan going anyway.

G3

[JP]

If its all metal steam cleaning may get all the wax out, the propolis on the other hand will be much tougher to remove.

Best solution, if you have access to a sandblaster, that would do it.


...JP

[Pink Cow]

Thanks, guys. The box is metal and since the machine is in a big work yard with lots of equipment, there may well be a steam cleaner to be  had. I'll give it a go.

[JP]

Great pictures!


...JP

[G3farms]

got them poor ol bees on a chain gang. :shock: