Queen grids for the hive 

A queen grid, also called a nut grid, is a grid through which the queen cannot pass. This allows you to manage the hive. For example, you can use it to prevent a queen from going to the honey chamber. This prevents the queen from laying eggs in the honey chamber and allows you to remove the honey from the hive. harvest. But you can, by using a queen grid, allow the queen to remain forcibly in a certain part of the hive. For example, if you want to remove the lower brood box for cleaning or to apply comb renewal, a queen grid can be used. This way you make sure the queen stays in the upper brood box. Usually you can encourage her to go up by blowing smoke with a beroker in the fly opening. You can then place the queen grid on the bottom tray. After this, put the upper container back on. If all goes well, this will prevent the queen from getting into a lower tray. After a few days, check to see if there are eggs in the lower tray. If not, the queen is above the grid, in the upper brood box. If all the brood has hatched in the lower tray, you can remove it and/or replace the combs.

Showing 1 - 39 of 39 items
Showing 1 - 39 of 39 items

What size queen grid should I use?

A number of things are important when buying a queen grid. The most important is the size of the hives you are using. If you have a Savings Cabinet have, you need a nut grid that also fits on the thrift box. And if you have a Dadant cabinet have, then you should choose a grille that fits the Dadant cabinet. The difference between these grilles is only the size. For example, the grille for the Savings cabinet is about 47 by 42 cm and for the Dadant cabinet, 50 by 50 cm.

Materials of which queen grilles are made.

There are other differences between queen grilles, such as the material it is made of. The following materials are commonly available and have different advantages and disadvantages. Most commonly used is a galvanized steel or stainless steel (SS) queen grille. This is a bar type that worker bees can easily pass through, but the queen, which is larger, cannot. The disadvantage of such a grid can be that - if a bar is bent - you often can't get it straight again and the queen can slip through. Another popular material is plastic. The advantage of a plastic queen grid is that it is light and inexpensive and often available in various thickness versions. In addition, you cannot bend the bars and there is also no heat loss, so it is ideal for a beginner. Another alternative is an aluminum grid. This is often a very thin grid stamped from an aluminum sheet. This is also the advantage, you do not see it in the hive between the chambers and there is almost no heat loss because it is so thin and barely makes contact with the outside air. Finally, there is the wooden queen grid. This is a nice grid that works well and has a low environmental impact. If it is no longer needed or eventually wears out: it can go straight onto the compost heap or into the stove. The advantage of metal grids, aluminum grids and stainless steel grids is that they can all be cleaned with a burner. This is quick and easy. The heated grate melts the wax and the grate becomes clean. In addition, you also disinfect it because of the heat. But you can also use a grate scratcher use, these are available for steel and/or plastic grilles.

How do I choose which queen grid to buy?

First you choose which size hive you want to use the queen grid for. For example, for the Savings hive. Once you have made that choice, you know what size you need. Based on this choice, you can see what materials the nut grid is available in. You can then choose, for example, a stainless steel queen grid or a plastic queen grid. So when buying, pay particular attention to the size and what material you want.

When do you install a queen grid?

A nut grid is mainly used in the honey harvest. If you have a strong population of one or two brood chambers and you want to harvest honey, place the grate on top of the brood chamber, and on top of the grate the honey chamber. This way the queen cannot get into the honey chamber and you keep the honey free of eggs and larvae. After all, the queen grid prevents the queen from laying eggs in the honey chamber. As a result, you can keep the honey windows nicely sway without contaminants.


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