Queen excluder still on over winter

[Simon a beekeeper]

I realised that when I took the supers off my hives I left the QE still on top of the BB then CB on top of that. Should I go back and remove the QE or is it OK to leave it on over winter?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Should I go back and remove the QE or is it OK to leave it on over winter?

there's nothing above it apart from the crownboard so it will do no harm, but it might be a bit clarted up with brace comb and propolis by the spring.
if there was a super of stores above the QX then that may have been an issue, especially with your location.

 

[JamezF]

I realised that when I took the supers off my hives I left the QE still on top of the BB then CB on top of that. Should I go back and remove the QE or is it OK to leave it on over winter?

Winter is a good time for cleaning queen excluders, particularly when the weather is cold and the wax/propolis is brittle, so I'd wait for a warm-ish day and quickly whip them out of the hives. In fact I did exactly that with one hive last Tuesday. The bees weren't best pleased, but then they're not the most tolerant bunch in the first place. They will be "dealt with" come the Spring.

James

 

[Sutty]

If you are even considering putting fondant over the (hopefully currently closed) feed holes in the CB later in the winter I would remove the QE now to minimise distance & obstruction to them getting to the fondant.

 

[Simon a beekeeper]

Thank you. One colony produces a lot of propolis so I will look to remove the QE's on a "warm" day ASAP. I can then clean them ready for next season.

 

[ericbeaumont]

remove the QE now to minimise distance & obstruction to them getting to the fondant.

There is an advantage to putting fondant onto a QX: without it, fondant will block access across top bars. http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/Fondant Peter Edwards.pdf

 

[Sutty]

There is an advantage to putting fondant onto a QX: without it, fondant will block access across top bars. http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/Fondant Peter Edwards.pdf

That link doesn't seem to work, however I know what you mean, though does depend a bit on what sort of QE.
I've been concerned fondant may be soft enough to migrate through a QE. A block of PIR with a hole cut for a takeaway container of fondant which has slots in the bottom, then another sheet of insulation over that works ok.

 

[ericbeaumont]

link doesn't seem to work

Odd; does when I tried it from the link above. This link has a link to it: http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/feedingcandy.html

fondant may be soft enough to migrate through a QE

Not been a practical problem. Likely that any dribbles appear randomly and allow bees to move around between the stalactites, whereas if the block sat on top bars it would prevent access across top bars and dribble down frame gaps onto bees.

 

[Penninetrader]

Winter is a good time for cleaning queen excluders, particularly when the weather is cold and the wax/propolis is brittle, so I'd wait for a warm-ish day and quickly whip them out of the hives. In fact I did exactly that with one hive last Tuesday. The bees weren't best pleased, but then they're not the most tolerant bunch in the first place. They will be "dealt with" come the Spring.

James

Good job the bees don't get to make the decision on some of the beeks, some of us might just get "dealt with"

 

[Superlativesoul]

Odd; does when I tried it from the link above. This link has a link to it: http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/feedingcandy.html


Not been a practical problem. Likely that any dribbles appear randomly and allow bees to move around between the stalactites, whereas if the block sat on top bars it would prevent access across top bars and dribble down frame gaps onto bees.

Worked for me just now Sutty
John.

 

[ericbeaumont]

does depend a bit on what sort of QE

True! A plastic QX will sit on top bars and fondant would block universal access.

 

[JamezF]

Good job the bees don't get to make the decision on some of the beeks, some of us might just get "dealt with"

If we carry on the way we are, that might yet happen

James

 

[drex]

I use framed metal QE. Always put fondant on that. Makes any moving or removing of fondant so much easier. More readily available to bees than above a CB