Removing the Entrance Wedge
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When the colonies are flying strongly again in spring and the brood nest is growing, the winter restriction is opened up.
When the colonies are flying strongly again in spring and the brood nest is growing, the winter restriction is opened up. Otherwise a strong colony backs up at too narrow an entrance, and the flight traffic slows the nectar flow.
The rule of thumb: as soon as the nights stay frost-free, usually in March, the mouse guard and entrance reducer come off. Mice are then no longer looking for winter quarters, and the bees need a clear path to clear out the winter debris. Narrow wedges also tend to clog with dead bees over the winter and then urgently need to be opened.
For weak colonies and nucs, leave the opening small until they have found their footing, otherwise they will be robbed.