[AmericasBeekeeper]

If all your frames are drawn out it will not be noticeable. If you have more than enough room, it will be months before she gets there. If there is honey or nectar already there, she will not lay in those cells.

 

[Beek4018]

I'm sorry, did you mean the excluder won't be noticed? The top super in question has no frames, it's just a deep box surrounding an inverted paint can filled with syrup.
It's a first year hive, so I wasn't planning on putting any honey supers on this year. Mistake? I don't know.

I just don't want to pop by outer cover off and be surprised by the queen sittng on top of the paint can and then flying off.

 

[BEES4U]

try this suggestion:
Cut a piece of plywood 16 1/4" x 20 or 21 1/2" if you use solid cleats and cut a 1 2/4" hole in the center for your feeder can. Then you can place the empty super on top as mentioned
Or, place your inner cover on top the hive and use the hole in the center for feeding the bees.
Ernie

 

[Beek4018]

Already using the inner cover method.

All I'm asking is do I need to worry about the queen making her way up? If so, should I put the excluder in place below that iner cover? If I don't need to worry, does it hurt anything to put the excluder in place regardless?

 

[propet12]

The queen will only lay eggs in drawn comb. The queen will usually only stay where there is drawn comb. Usually, the queen will not venture above the inner cover unless there is comb to lay into (I've had a queen lay above the inner cover in burr comb, but that was unusual in my experience, and she certainly wasn't above the inner cover very long). IMO - I wouldn't bother with the excluder.

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

If she will go up, she will go down. It is really overprotective to treat her like she is only trying to leave. I have a daughter and granddaughter, so I am experienced. Small hive beetles have used the excluder to hide when it is against the cover or inner cover as I think you are asking. I would rather not see your hive die to SHB from being overprotective.