Bee Entrance Excluder

Bees keep the hive inside at 90F since they're also managing a nursery.

To help bees keep the hive warm in winter, and to minimize intruders like mice, beekeepers close hive entrances with "entrance excluders." I also pop the excluder on if temperatures get too cold some spring nights.

Once danger of frost is over, the excluders are removed until fall. I also re-attach excluders when we have warnings of major storms and hail damage.

I lost about 1,000 bees the first year I had two hives due to hail hitting the hive entrance at an angle.

Charlotte