Should queen excluders be removed in winter? Key Considerations for Beekeepers

The decision to remove queen excluders in winter depends on climate, hive health, and beekeeping goals. In cold regions, removing them allows bees to cluster more freely, conserving energy and maintaining warmth. However, in milder climates or with strong colonies, leaving them may not significantly impact survival. Key considerations include preventing the queen from laying in honey supers and ensuring adequate space for winter food stores.

Key Points Explained:

1. Climate and Winter Severity

   • In cold northern climates, removing the queen excluder helps bees form a tight cluster without obstruction, improving heat retention.
   • In milder winters or insulated hives, excluders may remain if the colony is strong and honey supers are empty.

2. Colony Health and Space Management

   • Without an excluder, the queen can move into honey supers, risking brood in stored honey areas.
   • Ensure enough honey is left in the brood box; if supers are left on, they should be free of honey to avoid wasted space.

3. Beekeeper Goals

   • For honey production hives, removing excluders simplifies spring management by preventing brood in supers.
   • In nucleus or weak colonies, removal supports survival by reducing physical barriers to clustering.

4. Regional Practices

   • Northern beekeepers often remove excluders to align with natural winter behavior.
   • Always adapt to local advice, as microclimates and hive designs (e.g., insulated vs. wooden) affect outcomes.

5. Alternative Strategies

   • Some use excluders year-round but monitor closely for brood in supers or cold stress.
   • Replacing excluders early spring prevents the queen from laying in supers during nectar flows.

Balancing bee welfare and practical management is key—observe your colony’s behavior and adjust accordingly.

Summary Table:

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