Over wintered nucleus hives - 5 frame nucleus hives

The nucleus hive, also called a nuc, is a smaller version of a normal beehive, designed to hold fewer frames. A smaller space makes it easier for the bees to control the temperature and humidity of the colony, which is vital for brood rearing. We use British standard national hives, and our nucleus colonies are created by pulling two to five frames from an existing colony (Hive). These frames and the nurse bees clinging to them form the basis for the nucleus colony.

A nucleus colony may or may not be given a queen at the time it is created. If the nucleus does not contain a queen or queen-cell, but does contain eggs, the workers will create a new queen from one of the eggs. If the nucleus is to be given a new queen, the queen will be introduced to the colony in a queen cage with 4 to five attendant bees to look after her. This happens either at the time the nucleus is split from the main colony, or after a period of the colony being queenless, which increases the likelihood that the new queen will be accepted.

Overwintered nucleus hives are small colonies of bees with a laying queen and brood that were produced the prior Summer. They are useful for beekeepers in the spring, as they can provide early season queens, replace dead out colonies, increase the number of colonies, or be sold to beginner beekeepers.

At Radiance honey we supply over wintered nucleus hives as 5 frame nucleus hives.