<<<<I am considering adding queen excluders to my two first year hives and
was wondering if it would be a good idea (or is it standard practice) to
drill a hole or some other opening above the excluder for the workers to
enter and exit more easily? Thanks for your replies on this matter.
Rett Thorpe>>>>>
It is definitely not standard practice in my part of the world. Your bees
will deposit their pollen in the supers instead of in the brood chamber
where ii is needed and the wax moth will have fun with your supers when in
store. I have seen queen excluders referred to as honey excluders. This
is a nonsense. According to history the first excluder was invented in
1849 and since then bees have had no difficulty in getting through them.
If you are happy with pollen in supers and trouble with wax moth then use a
top entrance. I doubt that it will have any effect on your honey harvest.
Sid P.