Caring for Your Nucleus Colony
Thank you for purchasing a nucleus colony (nuc) from Evans Honey Company. To ensure a successful start with your new bees, please follow the guidelines below carefully.
Transporting Your Nuc
Avoid Overheating: Bees can overheat quickly and die. Keep the nuc box out of direct sunlight and never leave it in a hot car.
Go Straight Home: Ideally, take your bees directly home after pickup. If you must stop, park in the shade and ensure airflow.
Temporary Delay: If you’re unable to install the nuc immediately, place the cardboard nuc box on top of your hive and remove the yellow plug to allow ventilation. Install the colony into the hive the same day if possible—or by the following day at the latest. Do not leave bees in the cardboard nuc box for more than 24 hours.
Installing Your Nuc
Frame Placement: Install the frames in the same order as they were in the nuc box. Brood frames should be in the center, with honey and pollen frames to the outside.
Feeding: Feed a 1:1 sugar syrup solution (1 part sugar to 1 part water) for the first few weeks. Your colony may consume between 1 quart to 1 gallon of syrup per week.
Comb Drawing Goals:
For mediums, aim for three fully drawn boxes by July 4th.
For deeps, aim for two fully drawn boxes by July 4th.
Drawing wax becomes significantly more difficult for bees after early July in Central Virginia.
Ongoing Care
First Inspection: Conduct your first inspection about 7 days after installation.
Regular Inspections: Continue with weekly inspections through the spring.
Watch for Swarming: As your colony expands rapidly, monitor for signs of swarming and take preventive action as needed.
Honey Production: Once the bees have drawn out three mediums or two deeps, you may stop feeding syrup and add a honey super. With favorable conditions, you may harvest a few frames of honey in your first year.
Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll do my best to help you succeed in your beekeeping journey.