Ensure flat, level excluder placement

Place the queen excluder flat and fully seated on top of the brood box before adding supers. Check that the excluder sits flush with no gaps, warps, or bent edges that create irregular spaces bees will fill with propolis.

Why It Works

Bees seal any gap larger than 6 mm (bee space) with propolis or brace comb. A warped or tilted excluder creates uneven gaps that attract heavy propolis deposits, accelerating clogging. A flat, snug fit maintains consistent 4.2 mm wire spacing across the entire grid, letting workers pass freely while keeping the queen below.

Tips

• Inspect excluder flatness on a level surface before installing; replace any excluder with bends or dents that cannot be straightened
• Ensure the top bars of the brood frames sit level and flush so the excluder rests evenly
• Remove any burr comb from the tops of brood frames before placing the excluder
• After positioning, press down gently on all four corners to confirm full contact