QE in or out for winter?

[Darryl]

Looking for advice re the QE.
Currently my set up is brood box; QE; crown board; empty super containing takeaway container of fondant; 75mm slab of Kingspan; roof,
Question is do I leave the QE on or remove it? The bees are munching the fondant so I assume that they will feed the queen without the need for her to access the food herself.
Is it best to (a) remove the QE, (b) leave it in place, (c) does it matter either way?

 

[JamezF]

I'd remove it. Can't see that leaving it there is of any benefit in the arrangement you have.

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

no need for a queen excluder at any time when there are no supers on

 

[enrico]

Autumn is when you take them out and clean them ready for spring

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Autumn is when you take them out and clean them ready for spring

take them out in Autumn yes, but clean them midwinter when the wax is brittle and easier to remove.

 

[Amari]

Looking for advice re the QE.
Currently my set up is brood box; QE; crown board; empty super containing takeaway container of fondant; 75mm slab of Kingspan; roof,
Question is do I leave the QE on or remove it? The bees are munching the fondant so I assume that they will feed the queen without the need for her to access the food herself.
Is it best to (a) remove the QE, (b) leave it in place, (c) does it matter either way?

No harm in storing the QE above the crown board over winter if you're short of storage space, as I am. More importantly, if you overwinter with BB and super, never leave the QE between the two boxes - the bees may follow the stores and leave the Q behind or they may loyally stay with the Q and fail to visit the stores beyond the QE.

 

[ericbeaumont]

without the need for her to access the food herself.

Queen is fed by bees and won't go up.