Poly hive repair

[Dared]

Polyurethane foam gap filler has an insulation value as good as if not better than the surrounding poly. tape or paint will be needed as well.
I suggest that if you have problems with wood peckers you take the same precautions as for wooden hives.

Shoot them

 

[beebopalula]

Does anyone know what substance is good to fill these holes with? The supplier sells something for £6.60 plus delivery, but I wonder if it's just a common product I can get from B&Q?[/QUOTE]

The £6:60 product is just a ready-mixed filler similar to many others (possibly moister) and has no insulating value. I have used it but would buy from Wilkinson in future (much cheaper).
PU foam is much better, but difficult to get a neat finish, perhaps cut approx. level then use a filler to finish off. I have not tried the baking soda method - looks interesting.
I use green plastic garden netting around my hives to keep the woodpeckers at bay, it rolls up easily and does not snag like the galvanized type, so easy to store.

 

[Finman]

Does anyone know what substance is good to fill these holes with? .

Best hole filler of poly box is a piece of box. Your form the hole and glue it with polyurethane glue. It needs water mist first onto surfaces that glue hardens.

If you get some hard polystyre foam material as dense as bee box, it works too.

Bees bite often the lower edge round and then a slice of poly box wall is good.

A polyurethane glue foam soaks water in rain. It is not water tight.

I have broken some boxes and now I have those spare parts enough.

It is important to fix damages. If you take honey from a hive and you put a cleaning board, robbers will find every tiny hole.

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[swarmcatcher]

Putty is your friend

I've tend to carry around a tub of putty in the back of my truck. Useful for quick repairs of poly and wooden hives. I put a bit of tape (duck tape, or similar) on the inside wall, as it takes weeks to harden. I've only used it on fairly small holes though.

-- swarmcatcher