The Plastic Queen Excluder is a hive management accessory placed between the brood box and honey super of a Langstroth Hive to prevent the queen from entering and laying eggs in the honey production zone. The result is a honey super containing only pure, brood-free honey frames that are significantly easier to uncap, extract, and process for sale. The Plastic Queen Excluder is a more affordable alternative to the Metallic Queen Excluder.
What Is the Plastic Queen Excluder?
The Plastic Queen Excluder works on the same principle as the metallic wire version: the grid spacing is calibrated to allow worker bees with a thorax width of approximately 4.2 mm to pass through, while excluding the queen whose thorax measures approximately 5 mm. The plastic construction makes it lighter and more affordable, though it may be more prone to warping in high heat. With proper care and storage out of direct sunlight when not in use, a Plastic Queen Excluder will last multiple seasons. For a more durable long-term option, see the Metallic Queen Excluder at KSh 1,100.
What Is the Price of the Plastic Queen Excluder in Kenya?
The Plastic Queen Excluder is priced at KSh 700 at Urban Beekeepers in Nairobi. In stock ā no lead time. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Nationwide delivery available to all major towns. Payment accepted via M-Pesa and card. Urban Beekeepers takes bulk orders. Call 0797 764 747 or message via WhatsApp to discuss.
š¬ Order Now on WhatsApp ā KSh 700
Key Features and Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic (food-safe polymer) |
| What’s Included | Plastic Queen Excluder (one unit per hive) |
| Grid Spacing | Calibrated to allow workers through, exclude queen |
| Compatible Hive | Standard 10-frame Langstroth Hive |
| Function | Separates brood zone from honey super |
| Reusable | Yes, with proper storage away from direct heat |
| Price | KSh 700 |
Who Needs the Plastic Queen Excluder?
- New Beekeepers: Beekeepers adding their first honey super to a Langstroth hive who want a cost-effective solution for brood-honey separation.
- Small-Scale Commercial Farmers: Farmers with 5 to 20 hives who want to manage costs on accessories while maintaining commercially viable honey production standards.
- CBOs and Community Projects: Community beekeeping groups needing affordable but functional queen management tools for income-generating honey projects.
How to Use the Plastic Queen Excluder
- Install when brood box is 80 percent full. Place the Plastic Queen Excluder on top of the brood box only when the colony is strong enough to expand into a super.
- Ensure a flush fit. Lay the excluder flat with no gaps at the edges. Check that the plastic is not warped before installation.
- Stack the honey super on top. Place a honey super fitted with frames and wax foundations on top of the excluder. Workers will begin moving up within 24 to 48 hours.
- Remove and clean after harvest. After harvest, clean with warm water to remove propolis and wax. Avoid storing in direct sunlight or high heat, which can warp plastic.
Care and Maintenance
Proper care extends the working life of your Plastic Queen Excluder and keeps it performing effectively season after season.
- Store the Plastic Queen Excluder flat in a shaded, cool location between honey flows. Do not leave it on the hive during the dearth period ā remove, clean, and store it to prevent UV degradation.
- Inspect for warping before each installation. A warped excluder creates gaps at the edges that the queen can squeeze through. Replace it if the frame has deformed significantly.
- Clean propolis from the plastic grid with warm water and a stiff brush. Avoid using chemical solvents, which can degrade the plastic and leave residues harmful to bees.
Why Buy From Urban Beekeepers?
- In stock ā same-day delivery within Nairobi
- Nationwide delivery to all major towns across Kenya
- Call or WhatsApp: 0797 764 747
- Trusted by commercial farmers, CBOs, and NGOs across Kenya
- M-Pesa and card accepted
Shipping and Delivery
Urban Beekeepers delivers countrywide to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Machakos, Kitengela, Kitui, and all major towns across Kenya. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Call 0797 764 747 to confirm delivery timelines for your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Plastic Queen Excluder and a Metallic Queen Excluder?
Both function identically but the Metallic Queen Excluder at KSh 1,100 uses a stainless steel or galvanized wire grid that is more durable and resistant to heat and warping. The Plastic Queen Excluder at KSh 700 is lighter and more affordable. For commercial operations using excluders every season, the metallic version offers better long-term value.
Does a queen excluder slow down honey production?
No. A colony must be strong enough to expand into the super before the excluder is installed. A weak colony installed with an excluder too early may be reluctant to move through it. Install when the brood box is at least 80 percent full.
Does Urban Beekeepers deliver the Plastic Queen Excluder outside Nairobi?
Urban Beekeepers delivers countrywide to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Machakos, Kitengela, Kitui, and all major towns across Kenya. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Call 0797 764 747 to confirm delivery timelines for your location.
