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New to NUC’s?

20 Frequently Asked Questions – one’s we wish we had answers to when we started

 1. What is a NUC?

“NUC” is short for nucleus. A nucleus hive is a compact colony consisting of a queen, 3 frames of brood, 2 frames of food stores, and worker bees. Starting new hives is the main use but can also be used for queen rearing, hive expansion, swarm prevention, overwintering, and queen introduction

 2. Will there be delivery and installation services?

Unfortunately, we will not offer delivery or installation services. If you need assistance, please contact comalcountybeekeepers@gmail.com and we will send you a list of experience beekeepers that may assist you.

 3. I don’t like using the internet to make purchases. Can I pay with cash or check?

Our primary ordering mechanism is online. Contact the Blanco or Comal county beekeepers for assistance if you need to pay cash or check.

 4. What are the genetics of the bees

Golden Cordovans. They have a gentle demeanor, prolific builders, low swarming, good honey producers and a good warm weather queen but they tend to rob.

5. What do I need to do before I pick up the NUC?

Have your apiary site ready for the bees. You should have the area cleared out, grass mowed, hive stands and hives installed and feed ready for the bees.

6.  Do I need to pick up the bees on the specified date?

Yes, 26 April 2025 from 7am-11am is the pickup date/time. If you have a conflict, please contact Blanco County or Comal County beekeepers for assistance (see emails provided previously). Any NUC not picked up by 11 am will be unsealed and returned to the apiary

7. Is it safe to carry the NUC inside my vehicle or is it best in the trunk or in the truck bed

All the NUCS will be sealed with painters’ tape so the bees won’t get out but there will be bees flying around and one may potentially enter the vehicle. The important part of transporting bees is ventilation and securing the NUC. The Pro Nuc container has sufficient ventilation to keep the bees alive, however, if you place the NUC in a poor ventilated area they will overheat and may die.

If you transport the NUC inside your vehicle, place it close to a window and far away from the driver AND open window nearest the hive about ½-1”. If any bees do start to fly around the vehicle, they typically want to escape – so they go for the open window.

If you decide to place the bees in the trunk or in the truck bed you will be responsible for securing the NUC. A NUC bouncing around inside your trunk or in the truck bed is the number one cause of queen death while transporting. Replacement queens will be available for $45. Please be careful with your NUC.

 8. Do I need to wear protective gear when picking up my NUCs?

This is your preference. If you feel more comfortable wearing protective gear then by all means do so. We will do our best to seal all the NUCs; however, bees are bees and there may be some flying around.

 9. Should I bring Benedryl or an Epipen with me when I pick up the NUC?

This is your preference. If you feel more secure bringing Benedryl or an Epipen then please do so.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are allergic to honeybee stings then you may want to get someone to pick them up for you.

 10. Are the NUCs taped up so the bees won’t get out?

We will tape them up on the morning of the pickup date.

 11. How long can I keep them in the Pro NUC?

Go to “Installing a NUC” at the bottom of this page.

 12. Do I need to buy additional frames to fill up the 8 or 10 frame box?

Yes, you will need to completely fill the hive box.

 13. Do I need to feed and how often?

Newly installed hives need carbohydrates to draw out wax and “build out” their hive. Feed your bees 1 gallon of 1:1 sugar syrup per week. During your inspections if the bees begin to draw out new comb (white in color) then continue to feed until the bees stop feeding on the sugar water or they begin to store it within the brood frames.

 14. Will the queen be marked?

Yes, they will be marked.

 15. Do I get a guarantee with my purchase?

No guarantee will come with your purchase but we will provide technical support for the first 2 weeks after the pickup date. Within that timeframe we will address any issue you may have with the NUC and if necessary, provide a replacement.

16. Who do I call if I have problems with my NUC?

Comal/Blanco will provide support via email for 2 weeks after the pickup date. Email either club with your location, contact information and the problem you are seeing. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

17. When should I perform my first inspection?

Wait a week before the inspection. This gives the bees time to get acclimated to the new environment.

 18. What is the best location to place my bees.

Place your bees at least 100ft from your primary residence and away from foot traffic, livestock and areas that can flood. A water source must be close by and place the hive where it will get the morning sun and shade in the afternoon, and close to a water source (under 50 ft away)

 19. Will there be mentors to help me for the first month or so?

Your local club is the best place to find a mentor. There are also several bee supply companies that offer beekeeping classes.

 20. How do you make sugar water?

Mix plain white granulated cane sugar (NOT brown sugar or corn syrup) with warm water in the ratio of 1 part water to 1 part sugar.

To make one gallon of 1:1 sugar water mix

10 2/3 cups of granulated sugar

10 2/3 cups of warm water

Or about 10 cups of water to 5 pounds of sugar.

Mix until all the sugar is dissolved and let it COOL to room temperature

Installing a NUC 

Moving the frames into your Langstroth Hives Apiary)

After picking up your NUC box(es), head directly to your apiary and ensure your precious new bees do not overheat in the car.

Although it is common to install your NUC at this time, it is also acceptable to wait 24-48 hours, providing you OPEN THE ENTRANCE and leave it open.

You do not need to light your smoker if you are only planning on leaving the NUC next to the hive and opening it, but it is a good idea to try out your new protective gear and hive tool. If you plan to feed sugar syrup to your bees, have that already placed into the feeder. If you are waiting 24-48 hours to install, consider placing an external feeder (Boardman feeder) for sugar syrup by the hive (this will also invite the neighbors…..)

Place the NUC box directly on top of or next to your hive box. Then, open up the entrance to the NUC box, located on one of the short sides, near the bottom. Bees will likely come pouring out of the box, but don’t worry…they’ll soon calm down and get to work. Sometimes we have to tape the entrance, so your hive tool will help in removing that tape and opening the entrance. The bees will begin orienting themselves to their new location, so you’ll likely see lots of activity around the hive.

Once you are ready, installing is a simple procedure.

Follow these steps:

1. Light your smoker and put on your veil/jacket/suit.
2. Have your NUC entrance and your hive box entrance facing the same direction.
3. Gently puff a BIT of smoke near the entrance of the NUC box, then crack open the lid and give a light puff of smoke across the tops of the frames.
4. Any empty frames that are already in your box can be put on the left side of the box. Starting from the left side of the NUC box, slowly and gently lift each frame and place it into the hive body, starting on the left side next to the empty frames. You may need to use your hive tool to loosen the frames from the NUC box. It’s important to maintain the order and direction of each of the frames during this transfer, as the bees have arranged their resources in a particular way.
5. If you want to look for your queen while transferring frames, please take a few seconds to do so, but if you don’t see her, don’t worry or prolong the inspection. She will be marked with a red dot. Place the (almost) empty NUC box directly next to the hive.
6. Once all frames have been transferred, there may be some bees remaining in the NUC box. If so, hold the NUC box upside down over the hive and give it a single firm shake. Most of the bees will fall into the hive. The remaining bees will eventually move into the hive with the rest of the clan, and you can remove the NUC box the next time you go out.
7. Be sure to completely fill the hive box with the appropriate number of frames, either 8 or 10, or if using a frame feeder, 7 or 9 frames.
8. Ensure the entrance reducer is set to one of the smaller openings, but is not closed.
9. Replace your inner cover.
10. Replace the outer cover. Secure with a heavy rock, or brick, or single-hole cinder block.
11. Sit back and watch the bees!

It is not necessary to check the bees every day at this point. In fact, it is better to let them acclimate to their new home for several days before opening the hive again.

First inspection:

1. Protective gear, check. Smoker lit, check. Syrup hand, if you are feeding, check.
2. Observe the hive entrance for activity. Gently smoke the entrance.
3. Lift the outer cover and give a couple of puffs of smoke, then lower the cover for a minute or two.
4. Remove the outer cover, and then the inner cover. You may need to use your hive tool to gently pry a corner of the inner cover if your girls have been busy gumming it down with propolis.
5. Standing at the side or back of the hive, look down and observe your bees. Observe the number of frames you see the bees hanging out on.
6. Using your hive tool, gently loosen the edges of the frames from the box. Remove the outer empty frame first, checking to make sure the queen is not on it (unlikely, but check!) Set this frame to the side, or on a frame holder.
7. Slide the next empty frame(s) over , and gently lift the first frame of bees up, checking both sides for eggs, brood, pollen, nectar, and/or honey. Gently place the frame back into the box, and give yourself a little room to check the next frame. Your first few inspections practice looking for eggs, and noting them drawing out new comb on the empty frames. Observe the amount of larvae and capped brood.
8. If you see the queen, it is a bonus! If you see eggs, or tiny/minuscule 2-3 day larvae, you don’t really need to find the queen as this means she has been laying within the last 1-3 days.

Good luck on your new beekeeping adventure