The use of excluders depends upon the stock. For example, Carniolans keep a tight brood nest and these are not necessary vs. some Italian stock which will tunnel the brood into the honey supers. If you do use ecluders- give the queen 2 deep brood chambers. Susan Cobey Ohio State University Dept. of Entomology 1735 Neil Ave. Columbus, OH 43210 Tel.(614) 292-7928 Fax (614) 292 2180