Not using a queen excluder in a beehive can lead to a mix of advantages and challenges. While it allows for a more natural hive environment, it also increases the risk of the queen laying eggs in honey supers, complicating honey extraction and potentially reducing honey production. Proper hive management, such as providing adequate space for the queen, can mitigate some of these issues. However, the decision to use or not use a queen excluder ultimately depends on the beekeeper's goals and the specific needs of the hive.

Key Points Explained:

1. Queen Laying Eggs in Honey Supers:

   • Without a queen excluder, the queen may lay eggs in the honey supers, leading to brood in areas intended for honey storage.
   • This complicates honey extraction as the frames will contain both honey and brood, making it harder to harvest clean honey.
   • It may also reduce the efficiency of honey production as the bees will need to allocate resources to both honey and brood.

2. Natural Hive Environment:

   • Using a queen excluder is considered unnatural, as wild bees do not use them.
   • Some beekeepers prefer to avoid excluders to allow for a more natural hive environment, which can be less stressful for the bees.

3. Bee Health and Safety:

   • Drones can get stuck and die in the excluder, and worker bees' wings may be damaged from repeatedly traveling through it.
   • This can lead to increased mortality and stress among the bee population, potentially affecting overall hive health.

4. Hive Management:

   • The brood nest may become honeybound, requiring careful management to ensure the queen has enough space to lay eggs.
   • Proper hive management, such as providing adequate space for the queen, can eliminate the need for excluders.

5. Honey Production:

   • Some beekeepers avoid using queen excluders because they can slow down worker bees, which are responsible for creating honey.
   • This has led to the nickname 'honey excluders,' as they can reduce honey production by restricting the movement of worker bees.

6. Pest Control:

   • Using a queen excluder keeps the queen from laying eggs in honey supers, resulting in cleaner honeycomb wax and less attraction to wax moths.
   • This can help in pest control by reducing the likelihood of wax moth infestations in the honey frames.

7. Queen Location and Monitoring:

   • A queen excluder makes the queen easier to find by limiting her space to specific areas of the hive.
   • This simplifies monitoring and managing the queen, which can be particularly useful for beekeepers who need to keep a close eye on the queen's health and egg-laying patterns.

8. Colony Control:

   • Queen excluders serve as a useful hive management tool for controlling hive population and encouraging swarming if desired.
   • By limiting the queen's access to certain parts of the hive, beekeepers can better manage the size and temperament of the colony.

9. Drone Brood in Flow Frames:

   • Not using an excluder means that you run the risk of the queen laying drone brood in the Flow frame cells.
   • This can be minimised by placing an empty (foundationless) frame in the brood chamber and allowing the bees to build their drone comb.

In summary, the decision to use or not use a queen excluder involves weighing the benefits of easier hive management and pest control against the potential drawbacks of reduced honey production and increased bee stress. Proper hive management practices can mitigate some of the challenges associated with not using a queen excluder, making it a viable option for beekeepers who prefer a more natural approach.

Summary Table:

Need help deciding whether to use a queen excluder? Contact our experts today for personalized advice!