>Ok I got a question for the small cell guys , can a small cell queen go through a regular excluder or do you have to fing something smaller?
Most of the small cell people I know don't use an excluder. I don't. I HAVE used one while regressing, but not on a hive in normal situations.
A normal queen will go through an excluder. If you smoke them heavily enough and you'll often see the queen above the excluder. What she does when she REALLY wants to and what she does when it's just not convenient are two different things.
I'm sure a small cell queen CAN get through an excluder. But I know of some small cell beekeepers using them with no problems.
Try this on YOUR hive sometimes. If you have a flat (not bound) excluder, turn it 90 degrees so the ends stick out the sides of the hive and the ends of the hive are open. I'll bet the queen doesn't cross it and I'll bet the bees will be happier for it.