How To Install A Nuc Of Bees – Step By Step Guide

A nucleus colony, or nuc for short, is the heart of a hive and an ideal option for novice beekeepers. It contains a mated queen that is already familiar with the colony, as well as sufficient worker bees to sustain the nucleus hive. 

Starting with a nuc or nucleus hive offers several advantages, such as an established colony, faster growth, and easier integration into a new hive.

But what exactly is a nuc made of, and why is it so beneficial for beginners? Nucs are typically made up of five frames of bees, including frames of eggs, honey, pollen, and comb.

Starting with a nuc offers a range of benefits for both the bees and the beekeeper. An established colony means that the bees are already familiar with their queen and have begun laying eggs. 

This accelerates colony development, as the presence of a brood and a continuous egg-laying cycle ensure a stable population. Furthermore, nucs can be used to reinforce weak colonies, providing them with additional support and a stronger foundation for growth. In order to use a nucleus hive to reinforce a colony, you will have to remove the queen from the weak hive. 

Check out our Beekeeping 101 blog post for a guide to getting started with beekeeping. 

When we give nucleus hives to our customers, we always try to minimize the stress on the bees and their beekeepers.

1. Secure the bees: Before the move, ensure all entrances and movable parts of the nucleus hive are securely closed and fastened. Depending on the type of container that the bees are in, this will vary. The pro nuc will slide down to keep the bees in, but a little extra tape goes a long way. The jester ez nuc has a corrugated door that closes easily. Use ratchet straps or similar secure fastenings to keep the hive components together during the journey. This will prevent accidental opening and escape of the bees.
   
   
2. Stable and Smooth Transport: Position the hive on a flat, stable surface in your vehicle. Use non-slip mats or other stabilizing materials to prevent the hive from sliding or tipping during the drive. The smoother and more stable the ride, the less stress for the bees. The last thing you want is the nuc flipping over in the car or the truck bed.
   
   
3. Maintain Optimal Conditions: Keep the vehicle’s interior temperature moderate to avoid overheating, which can stress the bees and cause them to actually cook. A jester box is more likely to overheat than a pro nuc. If transported in a car, you will want to crank the air conditioning and put the nuc where it will get airflow. If moving the bees in the trunk, you can open up the back seats to get more airflow. If moving in the bed of the truck, try and get as much airflow to the bees as possible.

When transporting a nucleus hive or package of bees, safety is paramount. One practical method is using a specialized mesh bag, such as a Buzz Bag. This bag, equipped with a zipper, provides a secure enclosure for the bees while allowing adequate ventilation. 

The zipper ensures the bees are safely contained during transit, reducing the risk of escape and potential stress. This method offers a more controlled and safer way to transport your bees, making it a valuable tip for any beekeeper.

When picking up your nuc, ensure it is securely closed and handle it gently to avoid disturbing the bees. Wear protective clothing, such as a bee suit, gloves, and a veil, to minimize the risk of stings. This isn’t always necessary and depends on how you are picking the nucleus hive up from. 

When picking up a nucleus hive, it will typically be closed. But it is common for bees to be congregating on the outside of the nucleus hive. These bees were outside the hive when it was closed by the beekeeper. It’s difficult to get all of the bees off the hive, so be prepared for some bees to be on the outside of the box. 

Having a suit or other protective gear is only necessary if you are opening the colony to inspect the frames before buying them.

After transporting the nucleus hive to your apiary, you want to set it in place for at least 15 minutes before transferring the frames. You can open the colony quickly and let the bees fly or you can just set them down for 15 minutes to let them settle.

It is not wise to set a nucleus hive in the direct sun when closed for long. A colony of bees produces a lot of heat and can overheat quickly, especially a very large colony.

When setting the nucleus hive in place, you want it to be in place as close to the site of the permanent entrance as possible. This is more important if you are going to delay the actual installation of bees longer than a day.

After this 15-minute period, you can transfer the frames into the permanent hive. But you can delay the actual installation until the next day if necessary. The longer the colony lives in the nucleus hive box, the more likely it will be to get crowded, which can eventually lead to a swarm.

This is your best opportunity to inspect the colony and identify every part of the colony. You should look for the queen and be able to identify her. She may or may not have a mark on her. You want to identify a worker bee and how she is different than the queen, and you want to try and find drones, which are male bees.

In addition to the adult bees, you want to look at the comb and identify the pollen, honey, and nectar in the cells. You should take the time to identify capped vs. uncapped honey and possibly open a few cells to see what is in them.

You will likely see small hive beetles in the nucleus hives, but not always. It is very unlikely to see varroa mites on the bees. See our Beekeeping Pests blog post on how to check and prevent these kind of pest in your hives.

The brood is a major part of the colony, and identifying it is a required skill. Take the time to look into the cells to see eggs, larvae, and pupa.

In conclusion, installing a nucleus hive of bees is an exciting and rewarding experience for both beginner and experienced beekeepers. By understanding nucleus colonies, preparing properly, transporting your nuc safely, installing it into the new hive, and providing post-installation care and monitoring, you set the stage for a thriving apiary. 

Remember, with patience, persistence, and a little troubleshooting, you can successfully establish a flourishing colony and enjoy the sweet rewards of beekeeping.

The late afternoon or early evening is the recommended time to install a nucleus hive, also known as a nuc hive. During this period, most forager bees have returned to the parent hive, reducing the risk of bees from the new nucleus hive drifting back.

This timing allows the bees to settle into their new hive before nightfall and start exploring the following morning when the weather is typically favorable.

A nuc typically contains around 10,000 to 15,000 bees, including a queen. This is a full-sized colony in miniature that is well poised to take off and expand quickly under the right conditions.

With sufficient resources and care, these colonies can quickly reach 40,000 or more bees in two months.

No, it is unlikely that a nuc will produce honey the first year. Nucs are often used to get a head start on a new hive, but they require time to build up strength and take in pollen and nectar.

Therefore, though it may be possible, a nuc usually does not produce a significant amount of honey the first year. We tell new beekeepers to hope for honey in the first year, but don’t expect it. The earlier in the spring you start a colony with a nuc, the more likely it is to make excess honey.

A nucleus colony (nuc) is an essential part of a beekeeping operation, consisting of a mated queen and several frames of worker bees that can be used to increase the number of hives and honey production. 

This is different from a package of bees in many ways, but the main difference is a package of bees does not include frames of brood.

Before installation, ensure the hive location offers protection from extreme weather conditions, receives adequate sunlight, and is easily accessible for future inspections and maintenance. It’s also important to clear the area of any potential obstructions or predators.

Nucleus hives can be installed in various seasons, but the most common time is during the spring or early summer when bee populations are naturally increasing. This allows the colony to build up strength and take advantage of the blooming season for foraging.

Providing supplemental feed to the bees after installation is often recommended, especially if nectar sources are limited. Sugar syrup or commercially available bee feed can be used to ensure the bees have enough food to sustain themselves while they establish the hive.

Yes, monitoring the queen’s egg-laying is crucial after installation. Regularly check the brood frames to ensure the queen is laying eggs and that the brood pattern is healthy and well-distributed. This indicates the queen’s productivity and the overall health of the nucleus hive.

To install a nucleus hive, select a suitable location for the hive, prepare the hive equipment, transfer the frames of bees and brood into the new hive, and ensure the bees have easy access to food and water.