The Bamboo Queen Excluder is a natural-material hive separator used in Langstroth hives to keep the queen confined to the brood box during honey production. It allows worker bees to pass through its precisely spaced bamboo slots to fill the honey super above, while blocking the larger queen from laying eggs in honey frames ā keeping honey supers brood-free and improving honey purity and harvest quality.
What Is the Bamboo Queen Excluder?
A queen excluder is a flat grid or mesh panel placed horizontally between the brood box and the honey super in a Langstroth hive. Its slots are sized to allow worker bees (approximately 4.4mm wide) to pass through freely, while preventing the larger queen bee (approximately 5.4mm wide) from crossing. The Bamboo Queen Excluder uses natural bamboo material rather than metal or plastic, making it a chemical-free option preferred by beekeepers focused on natural hive management. It fits standard Langstroth Hives and is used alongside honey supers during the honey flow season. Also available: Metal Queen Excluder, Plastic Queen Excluder, and Wooden Queen Excluder.
Key Features and Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Natural bamboo |
| Compatible Hive | Langstroth hive (standard dimensions) |
| Slot Spacing | Sized to pass worker bees, exclude queen |
| Purpose | Brood-free honey supers, improved honey purity |
| Chemical Treatment | None ā natural material |
Who Needs the Bamboo Queen Excluder?
- Commercial Honey Farmers: Beekeepers running Langstroth hives who want clean, brood-free honey supers to improve harvest quality and reduce extraction preparation time.
- Natural Beekeeping Practitioners: Beekeepers who prefer natural materials and chemical-free hive management over plastic or galvanized metal components.
- CBOs and Cooperatives: Community groups running Langstroth honey production who need affordable, easy-to-use queen management accessories.
How to Use the Bamboo Queen Excluder
- Confirm queen location. Before fitting the excluder, confirm the queen is in the brood box during a hive inspection. Never trap the queen above the excluder.
- Place between brood box and super. Lay the excluder flat on top of the brood box, then place the honey super above it. Ensure there are no gaps at the edges.
- Check during inspections. During routine inspections, lift the excluder and check that no queen cells are forming above it. Remove and clean the excluder periodically to prevent propolis build-up clogging the slots.
Why Buy From Urban Beekeepers?
- Kenya’s best beekeeping equipment shop ā stocking high-quality and genuine beekeeping equipment
- 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
- Urban Beekeepers accepts M-Pesa, card, cash and bank transfer payments
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 bamboo, metal, and plastic queen excluder?
All three serve the same function ā restricting the queen to the brood box while allowing workers to pass. The bamboo version uses natural material and is preferred by beekeepers focused on natural hive management. Metal excluders are the most durable for heavy commercial use. Plastic excluders are lightweight and low cost. Urban Beekeepers stocks all three types.
Do I need a queen excluder for a Kenya Top Bar Hive?
No. Queen excluders are designed for Langstroth hive configurations with separate brood boxes and honey supers. Kenya Top Bar Hives use a different management approach and do not typically use excluders.
Does Urban Beekeepers deliver the Bamboo 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.
