Mouse (Queen) Excluder?

[itma]

There is a page on the Dave Cushman site that recommends the use of a QX, under the brood box, as a mouse guard (and "a convenient place to store it").

http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman/queenmouse.html

The Wayback Machine shows that the page was there in mid 2001, so its Cushman rather than Patterson!

I like the lateral thought but not too sure I like the idea.

Anyone tried it? Anyone really like the concept?

 

[Margaret Elisabeth]

I am thinking of doing this as I have only one mouse guard and two hives also the mouse guard does not stay on very well and has rather rough edges to the holes. its either the queen ex. or a drilled castillation strip for me. OLr rather the bees.

 

[oliver90owner]

Nothing new. Not seen his page but have often over-wintered like that. No mice going to get through a Q/E, b and yes, somewhere to store it.

Just need to think about when it is done. Removal can be left until drone brood is present in spring, but not left after they emerge, but is likely required above the brood by then. All depends on the season, not by dates, of course. Observation is the key.

 

[Tim.S]

Not such a good idea for those with plastic excluders!

 

[Ely]

Only problem with this method is you have to start faffing about putting it in place quite late in the season when the drones have been chucked out. I stopped inspecting mid August after I took the honey. Would be easier to fit a mouse guard in this case. I do see the benefit of not needing extra specific equipment though. Especially if you are a beekeeper with lots of hives. I imagine it would save a fortune. Probably save a lot more if you never bought queen excluders and just mouse guards though .

 

[peterbees]

The queen excluder could dislodge pollen from the legs of the incoming bees.