Bees in Mast

[s/v Jedi]

The ants here want no honey:


I used water to get the bees and their nest out of the boom. Warm soapy water to clean up after that.


Nick.

[cheoah]

Cross an ocean and starve 'em out.

Don't smash them if they land on you, just brush them off. Don't know where you are, but around here, they are gentle as a lamb.

I would take them for a ride. I'm thinking 15kt wind against falling tide out Cape Fear would handle your bee problem.

[sarafina]

Hey! My dad told me last night that a guy here in Sacramento with this problem used a firehose to clear it out.

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by sarafina

Hey! My dad told me last night that a guy here in Sacramento with this problem used a firehose to clear it out.

Couldn't exactly do that with mine but my issue was the inside of the boat. I was able to clean up the wax with hot soapy water. Now looks much better... On to other projects.

[zeehag]

soap and water keep em from coming back. same with hornets.. we have killer bees. fun stuff...also wood boring bees... those are especially fun with wood bits on boat.....

[Lt.]

I'm on favor of the cannon method ad mentioned earlier, then some insecticide, and either a hot, HOT, power wash, the running something the the mast to scrub it out. Though this would all require a pulling of the mast.

[CapnTed]

Having had the problem recently, and getting a great suggestion too late from a plumber friend, I would suggest renting a jetter. It's a high pressure plumber's tool that is used to clean sewers. It might be strong enough to ruin halyards & wiring, so get them out if you can. Ideally you could run it on a hot water pressure washer.

I had a quote of $500 for a plumber to come out & do it, but renting one was $120-$150/day using a cold water pressure washer. No one I found would rent me one to run on a hot water washer. Be sure it has a long enough hose. Many are 25' long.

Halyards will come clean with hot water--preferably using a pressure washer.

Good luck.

[fryewe]

Ted, his bee problem is going on five years old. Probably got rid of them or has harvested a lot of honey in the interim.