newspaper, they will chew it up, chew holes in it etc to get to the crystallized honey.. and I don't put it on until the temps get closer to the VERY low 60's or upper 50's in prep for winter. The paper can hold even if damp, at least until they chew through it. They should have SOME stores, so they shouldnt be chewing through the paper until it is Late winter and COLD, AND they have exhausted the stores they did have...