In a message dated 04/03/05 18:28:12 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes: <<My problem, how much of this is beekeeper lore or convenience, how much based on real knowledge? Me thinks this may set off a debate - hopefully more interesting than 100 other ways to clean excluders. Don't get me wrong, the first few posts were interesting -- but I think that thread has run its course. Jerry>> One of the fattest queens I ever had went through an excluder. I was smoking the bees (under the SBB) when I saw a kestrel drop on something s few yards away, just beyond the hedge. I waited, and saw it fly up with what looked like a small mammal, then realised I was still pumping the bellows; the bees must have been half gassed. A few moments later, I found the queen crawling about on the excluder. There were no eggs in the supers, so I have to asume I'd just driven her upstairs. Since most of my queens are quite significantly slimmer, they could probably get through if they wanted. I don't like excluders, since bees don't seem to like going through them, and I find they delay the occupation of the supers. I use them any time there's no honey arch at the top of the broodbox, but once this is established, I find that it keeps the queen below quite efficiently, and therefore remove them. Regards, Robert Brenchley :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::