How to transfer bees from a nucleus hive
Welcome to beekeeping — you’ve got your bees. Follow these steps to safely transfer them into a full hive.
Important
Do not transfer the bees immediately. Leave them to settle for a few days first, or they will be very aggressive.
What you need
- Hive stand, floor and entrance block
- Brood box
- 5–6 frames with foundation
- Dummy board or frame feeder
- Crown board and roof
- Feeder and sugar syrup (1kg sugar : 1 litre water)
- Hive record card
- Protective clothing, smoker and hive tool
Step 1 – Position the nuc
- Collect the nuc in the evening when bees are not flying
- Place it on the hive stand
- Open the entrance
- Leave for a few days to settle
Step 2 – Prepare the hive
On a warm day when bees are flying:
- Move the nuc aside
- Place the new hive on the stand
- Reduce the entrance
- Add feeder and one frame of foundation
Step 3 – Transfer the frames
- Gently smoke the bees
- Lift each frame and place into the new hive
- Keep frames in the same order and orientation
- Add a frame of foundation at the front
- Push frames together and insert dummy board
- Shake remaining bees into the hive
Tip
Add frames gradually as the colony grows. Too much empty space makes it harder for bees to keep brood warm.
Step 4 – Close and feed
- Fit crown board and roof
- Fill in hive record card
- Feed syrup in the evening only (to avoid robbing)
- Continue feeding until frames are drawn out
Aftercare
Colonies headed by an older queen may prepare to swarm early. Monitor closely, even before the brood box is fully drawn.
Updated May 2018