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How to Install a Nuc of Bees

Step-by-step instructions for installing a nuc of bees as a beginner.
Prep Time1 hour
Active Time20 minutes
Keyword: beehive, beekeeping, honeybees, 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

You can go out and watch your bees each day if you'd like to, just don't open the hive. Bees do best with as little intervention as possible. Checking for signs of the queen doing her job can wait about a week or so. Pay attention to what the bees are doing, are they bringing in pollen? Doing orientation flights? Those are all good signs! Congratulations! You are now a beekeeper!