Queen excluder yes or no

[GerryL]

It sounds as if, this is very divisional issue. I 've heard both sides of the aisle.
It keeps the queen out of the supers, but it cuts down on your honey production.

your thoughts would be appreciated.
Gerry

[Kirk-o]

N O spells no! Get the hot scoop and read Unlimited Brood Nest on Michael Bush's web site you will be very happy you did I was

kirk-o

[Understudy]

yeahhh! let's start that flamewar again.
Excuse if there is going to be a flamewar I want something so I an sit back and watch.


Okay I will also start by throwing a little fuel on the fire.

Don't use them. Unless you are dealing with a hive that you moved into a box from a cutout or a package and even then I would recommend the queen excluders over the entrances instead.
http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/products.asp?pcode=675

And even then only temporarily.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Kathyp]

they have their uses.  i had one between boxes when i needed to reduce hive size.  i used one below honey supers after bees started working foundation.  i'd bet that if you are using plastic foundation (and i wouldn't) they would not be as useful.

depends on what you want, and how much you want to fool with it.  i'll probably use them on some hives this year.

answer:  sometimes....and i'd have one or two around.

[buzzbee]

If you cant find the queen,seperate the boxes with an excluder for a couple days,look for the eggs and thats the side the Queens on.Just a use for it.
A time and place for everything.

[Michael Bush]

I don't use one.  It greatly simplifies my life and the bees life.  It improves crops and decreases swarming.  If the queen wants more room to lay why would I want to stop her and cause them to swarm instead?

Some other opinions:
http://www.beesource.com/pov/wright/bcjune06.htm
http://www.beesource.com/pov/wright/bcapr06.htm
http://www.beesource.com/pov/hayes/abjaug85.htm

Try a search on queen exluders.  This has been discussed hundreds of times already.

[imabkpr]

buzzbee; We also use them when making splits.  We place an excluder between the brood chambers so we don't always have chase the queen clear to the bottom board.  Charlie

[Brian D. Bray]

The only use I could see for a queen exluder is to keep a queen from a swarm or cut out in the hive until it's established.  There are a couple of other things but I don't remember what they are right now.

[buzzbeejr]

I haven't got the chance to use one yet but when and if i do i will probably use it just to keep brood out of my honey.

have a great day,Josh