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Transferring a nuc or nucleus hive to a Permanent Hive.

There are a few ways to get bees for your new hive.

The cheapest is to catch a swarm.

Another way is to buy a package of bees.

I think if you are going to buy bees then a nucleus hive is good value.

A Nucleus hive is basically a starter hive with 5 frames of brood and honey with a healthy population of bees and a laying queen. They do cost a little more than a package of bees but it is a much better start for your new hive.
This is a nuc I recently transferred into a new hive at one of my beekeeping sites in Berrima in the Southern Highlands

Nuc in planned position of hive with new hive ready on the left
Nuc in planned position of hive with new hive ready on the left

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you pick up your nuc it should be placed in the exact position that you intend for your new hive. Leave it there for a few days before transferring the frames so the bees can get used to their new environment.

After a few days when you have a nice warm sunny day you can transfer the frames from the nuc to the new hive.
The first thing you need to do is move the nuc about 1 metre in front of the planned hive position and place the new hive in its place.

Move nuc 1 metre in front of planned position and replace with new hive.
Move nuc 1 metre in front of planned position and replace with new hive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you have the new hive in place open it up a place frames of foundation in it. for this hive we are using an 8 frame box so we need 3 frames to fill the box after the 5 frames from the nuc are transferred. If you are using 10 frame boxes then you will need 5 frames of foundation. The frames of foundation should be placed toward the outside edge of the box.

Frames placed toward the outside edge of the box
Frames placed toward the outside edge of the box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is now time to transfer frames from the nuc to the new hive. Start by removing one frame in from the outside frame first.

Start by removing one frame in from the outside frame
Start by removing one frame in from the outside frame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place this frame in the new hive leaving enough room to easily place the outside frame in the hive between it and the frames of foundation.

The first frame placed with enough room to put the outside frame between it and the frame of foundation.
The first frame placed with enough room to put the outside frame between it and the frame of foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The remove the outside frame and place it between the first frame and the foundation. and push them gently but snugly up against the foundation.

Place the outside frame betewen the first frame and the foundation.
Place the outside frame between the first frame and the foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you transfer the frames give them a quick check for honey, eggs and larvae and generally health.

Check the frames as you go. On this frame you can see the queen just right of centre with a white dot on her thorax
Check the frames as you go. On this frame you can see the queen just right of centre with a white dot on her thorax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transfer the rest of the frames from the nuc into the new hive keeping them in the same order until they are all transferred across.

All the frames transferred from the nuc to the new hive. Be sure to keep them in the same order.
All the frames transferred from the nuc to the new hive. Be sure to keep them in the same order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once all the frames are transferred you will need to be sure the queen hasn’t been left in the nuc. If you have seen her on one of the frames and you know she is in the new hive then there will be no need to check. If you haven’t seen her then carefully check the nuc for the queen and tip the bees left in it into the new hive. If you forget to do this you may find the many of the bees will leave the new hive to rejoin their queen in the nuc.

check the empty nuc to make sure the queen isn't still in there.
Check the empty nuc to make sure the queen isn’t still in there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you have checked the nuc you can make sure the frames in the new hive are pushed snugly together and centered and close the hive up. Then lay the empty nuc on the ground in front of the hive so any left over bees can find their way into the new hive.

The new hive all closed up and the empty nuc laying in front of the hive for any remaining bees to find their way to the new hive.
The new hive all closed up and the empty nuc laying in front of the hive for any remaining bees to find their way to the new hive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You now have happy bees in your new hive and hopefully in a few months time you will be able to harvest some honey from them.