Description
Langstroth Plastic Queen excluder / Koningin Uitsluiters / Separators
Queen excluders are used to keep the queen bee from being able to lay inside the super chamber where the honey is stored.
The queen excluder is sold separately to the beehive and is very useful when it comes time to harvest honey.
The queen will lay eggs only in the brood [broei] chamber if she cannot access the super [heuning] chamber above when a queen excluder is used to prevent the queen bee from getting through.
The benefit of the queen excluder is that when it comes to harvesting honey from the super chamber there are no eggs or larvae in the honeycomb and ONLY ripe honey is ready for harvesting and filtering.
We also stock metal queen excluders as well. Enquire for more info.
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Langstroth Plastic Queen Excluder for Beehives
Help manage brood placement by restricting the queen’s access to the honey super while allowing worker bees to move through the excluder grid.
Position this plastic queen excluder between the brood chamber and honey super of a compatible hive.
- Plastic grid construction
- Helps keep the queen below the honey super
- Allows worker bees to pass between hive chambers
- Will not rust
- Sold individually
- Hive and other components are not included
Check the dimensions of your hive before ordering.
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Keep the queen below the honey super
A queen excluder is positioned between the brood chamber and the honey super.
Its openings are designed to allow worker bees to move through while restricting the larger queen. When correctly positioned, this helps reduce the likelihood of the queen laying eggs in comb intended for honey storage.
This can make honey-super management and harvesting more straightforward because brood is more likely to remain in the brood chamber.
A queen excluder does not determine whether honey is ripe. Always inspect the comb and confirm that the honey is ready before harvesting.
Why choose a plastic queen excluder?
Helps manage brood placement
Restricting the queen’s movement into the honey super helps the beekeeper maintain a clearer division between the brood area and honey-storage area.
Allows worker-bee movement
The grid openings are intended to let worker bees pass between the brood chamber and super while restricting the queen.
Rust-free plastic construction
Plastic does not rust and is suitable for beekeepers who prefer a plastic alternative to a metal queen excluder.
Straightforward hive placement
Place the excluder flat between the brood chamber and honey super, ensuring that it covers the chamber without leaving gaps around the edges.
How to use the queen excluder
- Confirm that the queen is in the brood chamber.
- Place the plastic queen excluder flat above the brood chamber.
- Check that the excluder covers the chamber correctly without edge gaps.
- Position the honey super above the excluder.
- Inspect the excluder during normal hive checks for movement, warping or damage.
- Confirm that the colony is moving through the grid and using the honey super.
Incorrect positioning, damage or gaps may allow the queen to enter the super.
Compatibility and measurements
Queen excluder and hive dimensions can vary. Do not assume universal compatibility.
Before ordering:
- Measure the outside dimensions of your brood chamber or honey super.
- Compare those measurements with the verified product measurements.
- Check that the excluder will lie flat and cover the chamber without gaps.
- Contact Bee Ware if you are uncertain about the fit.
Verified product dimensions should be added here after physically measuring the excluder.
What you receive
- One plastic queen excluder
The beehive, brood chamber, honey super, frames, bees and other equipment shown in product photographs are not included.
Cleaning and care
Remove loose wax and propolis carefully with a suitable scraper or brush.
Avoid open flames, boiling water and excessive heat, which could soften or warp the plastic. Do not use harsh solvents unless their suitability for the plastic has been confirmed.
Inspect the excluder before installation. Replace it if it is cracked, badly warped or has damaged openings that may allow the queen to pass through.
Plastic or metal queen excluder?
A plastic excluder provides a rust-free option at an accessible price.
Beekeepers wanting a more rigid alternative can also consider the Bee Ware Metal Queen Excluder, sold separately.
The best choice depends on your hive, management preferences and how you clean and store your equipment.
Frequently asked questions
What does a plastic queen excluder do?
It is designed to restrict the queen’s access to the honey super while allowing worker bees to move through the grid. It can also be cut into smaller pieces and then the pieces are used to make entrance blockers for the queen bees!
Where is it placed?
Place it between the brood chamber and the honey super, with the queen below it in the brood chamber.
Does it guarantee that no brood will appear in the honey super?
No. Correct positioning and regular inspection remain important. Damage, gaps or accidentally trapping the queen above the excluder can result in brood appearing in the super.
Does a queen excluder make honey ripe?
No. It helps manage where the queen can lay, but it does not ripen honey. The beekeeper must still inspect the comb before harvesting.
Will it fit every beehive?
No universal-fit claim is made. Hive dimensions and construction vary, so measure your hive and compare it with the verified product dimensions before ordering.
Can worker bees pass through it?
The grid is designed to allow worker bees to pass while restricting the larger queen. Colony behaviour can vary, so check that the bees are moving into and using the super.
Can the plastic excluder rust?
No. The plastic construction does not rust.
Is the hive included?
No. The price is for one plastic queen excluder. The hive, frames, honey super and bees are not included.
Manage your honey supers with greater control
Add a plastic queen excluder between your brood chamber and honey super to help manage the queen’s access to honey-storage comb.
Check your hive measurements, select your quantity and ADD TO BASKET.
