Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: troutstalker2 on February 26, 2009, 10:34:48 pm

Title: nucs
Post by: troutstalker2 on February 26, 2009, 10:34:48 pm

  Is there any reason to use a nuc instead of a ten frame hive body when doing a split or if you capture a swarm? Is the reason for using 5 frame nuc is that is just cheaper, or takes less room up in the yard, or will the bees start off better in the smaller space for some reason?
  Thanks in advance, David

Title: Re: nucs
Post by: riverrat on February 26, 2009, 10:47:52 pm

when collecting swarms I take both a 5 frame nuc and a 10 frame hive body. Most swarms I hive in the 10 frame equipment if it is a  small swarm I will  hive it  in the nuc.  You have to remember a swarm is a wax drawing machine when first hived so I try to give them as much room as I think they will need. Hope this helps ;)

Title: Re: nucs
Post by: Brian D. Bray on February 26, 2009, 11:54:58 pm

Quote from: troutstalker2 on February 26, 2009, 10:34:48 pm

  Is there any reason to use a nuc instead of a ten frame hive body when doing a split or if you capture a swarm? Is the reason for using 5 frame nuc is that is just cheaper, or takes less room up in the yard, or will the bees start off better in the smaller space for some reason?
  Thanks in advance, David

A swarm is a very energetic clump of bees and as such less prone to pest invasion, however if there is a good quantity of unused space within a hive the pests will use that area to infest the hive.  So the ideal is to give the bees no more area than they can defend.  A large swarm might need a full box, a small one would do better in a nuc box until is built up a bit.  Some larger swarms placed into a space too confinded for them will abscond.  It's really a judgement call on the part of the beekeeper.

Title: Re: nucs
Post by: RayMarler on February 27, 2009, 03:31:07 am

Bees are social insects and like to be somewhat crowded. If too much space is given them they won't perform as well. The time of year is a thing to keep in mind. If in doubt, in the spring err on the side of giving too much room as they are in buildup mode. In the late summer/fall, err on the side of too little room as they are in reducing mode.

Title: Re: nucs
Post by: troutstalker2 on February 27, 2009, 07:12:18 pm

  Thanks guys, that makes sense. :bee:

Title: Re: nucs
Post by: Cindi on February 27, 2009, 07:18:55 pm

Ray, I like your signature, it conjures up some very nice thoughts of drinking lemonade and a hot summer day.  Have a beautiful, most awesome day, Cindi