Just picture having a tool that organizes the bees better and gets more profits, such as extracting honey or even shortening hive organization. And this is not just a fantasy; it's the queen's excluder. Both beginning and advanced beekeepers can benefit from knowing the importance of a queen excluder.
Today, we will talk about what a queen excluder is, why it's one of the best investments you could make for your hive, and how transforming has several benefits for beekeeping. Best EVER! In addition, we will address some myths and provide specific instructions for using this vital tool in beekeeping.
A queen excluder is a piece of beekeeping equipment that you use to keep the little boss (the Queen Bee) from getting into sections where the bees store honey. It is mainly there to contain the queen in a brood chamber and ensure that only worker bees can come up into honey supers. Over the years, this simple tool has evolved but has always been used because its purpose remains to help a beekeeper keep things in order within the hive.
Traditional queen excluders were introduced previously, originating in the 19th century. From the beekeeper's point of view, it took a little while for them to realize that if they could keep her out from laying eggs outside the supers (where there is honey), extraction would be easier and quality improved. Nowadays, queen excluder is the heartthrob of beekeepers, offering multiple advantages that we will discuss shortly.
The primary benefit of a queen excluder is to prevent the queen from laying eggs in your honey supers. This ensures that honey storage areas are clean, clear of brood, and ready to be readily harvested. Separating the 2 main activities in a hive, honey production, and brood rearing, keeps management simple, so effectively confining our queen to the bottom box, which should only hold colony members' eggs, aids us greatly.
This will also help organize your hive and keep order with honey. The queen excluder is the device that makes a hive more organized and without hysteresis: each bee does its work quietly. This behavior encourages good-quality honey, as there is no brood in the honey supers, which keeps them cleaner and more processible.
Queen excluders also help to minimize the risk of swarming. This serves to keep the queen in check, resulting in lower hive populations, which can help prevent overcrowding and, thus, swarming. This not only keeps the beehive productive but also maintains a firm environment for bees which leads to good bee health and efficiency.
There are more factors to consider when choosing a queen excluder. Material is essential: plastic, metal, or wood—all are valid, but each has its quirks. In comparison, plastic excluders are lightweight and economical, and metal ones last forever. Whether you choose a tower or a single-leveled hive, think about the total size of your hives and how well they fit into what you have.
A queen excluder works when it is installed correctly. First, remove all honey supers and place the excluder directly above the brood chamber. Please make sure they are flat and sit tightly to avoid any spaces. Then, put the two honey supers back on the installed excluder. Check for and clear any blockages in the excluder, as it must be able to move freely to work properly.
The installation process may seem simple, but the devil is in the details. In addition, if the excluder is not well-fitted, it will either catch bees and entrap them or let them move around. Luckily, these steps and regular checks on your equipment will optimize the queen excluder as a tool for managing your beehive.
Queen excluders are a helpful tool, but they have their detractors. According to some beekeepers, using excluder disrupts honey bees' natural behavior and health by forcing them to unnecessarily turn back/return at the hive entrance, which could cause plague/starving all around up12. Nevertheless, scientific research has proven that this is beneficial when correctly used queen excluders.
Queen excluders do not, as people believe that they cut a ton of honey production. Though there is some effect on honey yield, this typically pales in comparison to the benefits of being more organized and producing quality. Beekeepers want to keep their brood separate from the honey supers to harvest cleaner, higher-quality honey.
It is essential to discuss these stereotypes respectfully and realize that each hive/beekeeping practice might not be the same. Of course, queen excluders may not suit everyone, but when used properly, they can increase hive management and productivity.
If you are in the beekeeping world, queen excluders are usually discussed regarding beehives and honey supplies. They cite the benefits of better hive management, a "sweet" crop, and less likelihood of the bees swarming. Proponents of excluders say they are a way to keep the structure of hives and allow worker bee productivity.
In contrast, other beekeepers want a natural approach and let the queen roam the hive. They argue this creates a better environment and less stress on the bees. Case studies indicate both methods result in successful efforts, suggesting the use of a queen excluder is often down to personal preference and hive variations.
Above all, science and experience combined should guide any decision to apply or not use a queen excluder. With the above in mind, beekeepers can then weigh the pros and cons of this tool for their specific goals and practices, resulting in improved beehive management.
Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to realize the benefits of a queen excluder. Always look for damage, making sure the excluder is intact and blockage-free. Interfaces can also avoid problems that interfere with hive function or queen caging.
However, incorporating queen excluders into your practices as a beekeeper can be easy with some expert tips. Slowly add the excluder to your hive and let bees handle this change. Regularly monitor the activity and throughput and adjust as needed to maximize output.
Don't forget that beekeeping is a science and an art. Queen Excluders are just one tool that you may want to try out for your hive. If they are not effective or what you were after, then go ahead and experiment with other things. Being flexible and adaptable in your beehive is critical.
A queen excluder in your beehive can do wonders, from better-quality honey to a more organized hive. Despite arguments within the beekeeping community, some pros and some severe cons are all you need to make your decision easier.
We recommend you seek out queen excluders and try them in your beekeeping. Given the global relevance of such knowledge, this platform invites new and experienced beekeepers to share their experiences, finding ways to achieve better success as individuals and at national scales. Whether you are a newbie or a specialist, there is always something new to learn about beekeeping.
If you are in the bee management process, the next right step could be having a queen excluder into your hive. Your bees and your honey will appreciate it!
