How to Install a Nuc of Bees
Learn what a nuc is, and how to install a nuc of bees. We’ll also talk about why a nuc is a better alternative to package bees.
The Story of How I Became a Beekeeper
I had been wanting to become a beekeeper for a very long time, but I never really knew where to start. I had done some researching, but I wasn’t fully ready to dive in just yet. Little did I know, I was about to learn how to install a nuc of bees, all by myself!
One day my husband called me from work, and told me to go out and get everything I needed for bees, because he was bringing some home! I was ecstatic! Although, I didn’t even know where to start! It turns out his customer had a swarm, and decided to give them away to us. He packed up 5 frames with some brood and food into a box, and sent them home with my husband the next day.
I scrambled all around our small town, looking for everything I would need, but I quickly learned that I wasn’t going to find it there. Of course I didn’t have time to get what I needed online, so I had to start calling around to find some equipment I could borrow!
Luckily, a good friend I had been talking to for a while about getting bees, had some stuff to lend me until I could get my own in the mail. I ended up buying a bunch of stuff I didn’t need since I was so unprepared, and had to return it all a few days later. If you don’t have your bees yet, and you aren’t sure exactly what you need, you can learn about what you need here.
This article contains affiliate links, meaning I make a small percentage off of your purchase at no extra cost to you. Read my full affiliate link disclosure here.
What is a Nuc of Bees?
I’m sure you might be wondering what a nuc of bees is. If you already know, that’s great! You are one step ahead of me back before I got my bees!
Nuc is short for “nucleus colony”, which is a small sized hive in which a colony of bees resides. It can also be used to describe the colony of bees itself. Most beekeepers refer to nucs based on the number of frames they contain. For example: “five frame nuc”, “four frame nuc” etc.
Most nucs you purchase will come from a local beekeeper. That is also another plus side to getting a nuc. Bees that are local to you are going to be acclimated to your area, which means they have a better chance at thriving. Most bees you order online from the large suppliers come from California, which is great if you live there, but if you’re like me and you live in a totally different climate, it can be problematic.
What’s the Difference Between a Nuc and a Package of Bees?
The difference between a nuc and a package of bees is very clear. A package of bees is exactly what it sounds like! It’s a screened in box that just consists of bees, and a queen. Usually when starting out with a package of bees, you will be putting them into a box with brand new frames, that have not been drawn out. I’ll talk about what that means a little later. Installing a nuc of bees is much easier, in my opinion.
What You’ll Need For Installing a Nuc of Bees
- Complete beehive to put the nuc into. The most common hive is a 10-frame Langstroth. I highly recommend starting with that as a beginner. You can read about the other types of hives here, but I recommend starting with a 10-frame. (Here’s a complete hive I recommend. It is affordable, and easy to assemble. If you absolutely can’t see yourself assembling the hive, this one comes fully assembled. But it only comes with one deep, so you’ll have to order another deep box later.)
- Bee feeder. During certain times of the year it is important to feed your bees, especially if you live in an area such as me, where Spring comes really late, and Winter early. Starvation is a threat to your bees, and you want to avoid that at all costs. There are many different types of feeders, you can read about them here. In the spring, I like to use mason jar entrance feeders because there is no threat of robbing.
- Sugar syrup to fill the feeder. Buy some here, or learn how to make it in my article about feeding bees!
- A place to put your hive. If you are unsure about where to place your hive, read about hive placement here.
- A stand for your hive. Cinder blocks work just fine, but if you’d like something fancier, this is a great hive stand!
- Don’t forget your bee suit! If the bees have been locked inside of a box with no way out, they will be a little spicy. So to avoid getting stung, you will definitely want to wear a suit. I personally just have a half-suit, but you can get a full suit too!
- Hive tool. You will likely need this to separate the frames in the nuc. This kit comes with two different hive tools, and other tools you will need for beekeeping!
- Smoker. Personally, I do not use my smoker very often, but you may want to have it handy when you are transferring your bees into the hive just in case. The kit I linked above comes with a smoker if you don’t have one already.
- Have your mentor help you, if you have one. It is so much easier having a mentor when you start your beekeeping journey. Search on facebook for local beekeeping groups, most beekeepers are very friendly and excited to help you!
- Nuc of bees. Local bees are the best bees. I suggest finding some locally, but if you are unable to you can order them online from http://mannlakeltd.com.
That concludes everything you will need to install the nuc! Now, let’s get to it!
How to Install a Nuc of Bees
Equipment
- 1 Complete Beehive
- 1 Hive Stand (cinder blocks work just fine as a hive stand if you don't want to purchase one)
- 1 Beekeeping Suit
- 1 Smoker (just in case)
- 1 Hive Tool
- 1 Bee Feeder
- 1 Sugar Syrup For Feeder
- 1 Nuc of Bees
Instructions
- Make sure the beehive is placed in a permanent location, with the entrance facing to the south.
- Have all of your equipment nearby and ready. (Hive tool, smoker, bee suit.)
- Remove 5 frames (or however many your nuc contains) from the complete beehive, to make room for the frames in the nuc.
- Place your feeder in the hive. (If using a frame-style feeder, you will have to remove two more frames.)
- If you plan on using your smoker, light it up now so it is ready to go if needed.
- Now it's time to suit up so you can get the bees.
- Carefully carry the bees to the location of your hive. Set the nuc box on the ground in front of the hive. When you open the nuc box, they are probably going to be angry since they have been trapped inside for a period of time. You can use the smoker once you open the nuc box to calm them down, but personally I just open the box and start moving them over into the hive as quickly as possible.
- Carefully remove one frame at a time, and put it gently in the beehive. You may need to use your hive tool to loosen the frames and get them out. It is important to put the frames in the beehive, in the same order they were in the nuc.
- Once all of the frames are inside of the new box, if there are any remaining bees in the nuc box, you can shake them into the hive.
- Carefully put the inner cover, and then top cover on the beehive, and leave the nuc box right outside of the entrance. There will likely be some stragglers that need to find their way into their new home.
- Your work is done! Let them be for a week or so, before checking on them. If they run out of sugar syrup before then, make sure to fill it up.
Notes
What time of day should I install my nuc of bees?
Morning is best, about one to two hours after sunrise. The bees should be more calm in the morning. Do not install your nuc at night.
How long can I leave the bees in the nuc?
Bees can starve in as little as one day, if they are closed in a nuc. If the nuc has an entrance you can open, and there is things to be foraged, they will be okay in there for a couple of days. But do not leave them locked inside for more than one day.
When should I check on the nuc after it has been installed in the hive?
You should let them be for about a week or so, and then you can check to see how things are going. After that, check every two weeks or so if needed.
Will I be able to harvest honey from my hive after installing a nuc?
Generally, you can not harvest honey from a first year hive. You need to make sure the bees have enough honey stores to get through the winter, and a first year hive usually needs all summer to build that up.
How long do I need to keep feeding the bees?
Keep feeding the bees until they have fully drawn out comb on all frames in the brood box.
What time of year should I start beekeeping?
As early in spring as possible is the best time. If you start too late in the year, your bees will not have enough time to become established before winter, making their chances of surviving pretty low.
When should I add a second brood box to my beehive?
You do not want to add a second brood box to your hive until the first one is 8-9 frames FULL of bees. If you wait too long, your bees will swarm because they have run out of room in their hive.
How close can my beehive be to my house?
If you live in a city and don’t have much room, make sure you give the bees at least 20 or so feet from your house (or any building) to make sure they can reach flying altitude without interfering with your house. Generally, bees are not going to bother you if they are close to your house or yard.
Why Choose a Nuc Over a Package of Bees?
A nucleus colony (nuc) usually comes with 5 frames of drawn out comb. There is usually a couple frames of brood, and food, which makes the colony already somewhat established.
A package of bees is just a box full of bees. You have to put them into a beehive with no drawn out frames, no brood, and no food stores. This makes it to where they have more work to do before becoming established.
A nuc already has a laying queen, where in a package of bees, you have to introduce the queen in a queen cage, and have the bees free her. Then, if all goes well and they accept her, she will hopefully start laying, as soon as they have comb drawn out for her. With package bees, the hive may not always accept the queen, which can lead to having to purchase another queen.
Cons:
Cons of a nuc: Nucs may be harder to find. You can order a package of bees from most bee suppliers online, but nucs are often only available from local beekeepers. They can also be a bit more expensive than a package of bees, but in my opinion, they are worth the extra investment!
I hope you are confident and ready to install your first nuc! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!
