1. WHAT IS A NUCLEUS COLONY? (“NUC”) “IT IS A HIVE WITH ALL THE KEY COMPONENTS OF A BALANCED HIVE EXCEPT THE SIZE” so says Larry Connor in “Increase Essentials” A NUC CAN INCLUDE FROM ONE TO FOUR FRAMES OF BROOD WITH BEES ATTACHED, A LAYING QUEEN AND FRAMES OF HONEY AND POLLEN.

2. PICK YOUR COLOR THIS IS WHAT THE HOLDING YARD LOOKED LIKE BEFORE OUR DELIVERY.

3. NO DON’T PANIC OUR YARD WILL NOT LOOK LIKE THIS WHEN YOU ARRIVE!! THE NUCLEUS COLONIES WILL NEED TO FLY DURING THE DAY. THIS IS THE REASON WHY PICK UP TIMES WILL BE 8AM-10AM AND 6PM TO 8PM.

4. WHEN FIRST BRINGING NUC HOME, PLACE IT ON TOP OF THE NEW HOME AND REMOVE THE SCREEN SO THE BEES CAN FLY AND ORIENT THEMSELVES TO THEIR NEW ENVIRONMENT

5. REMOVE SCREWS HOLDING THE COVER TIGHT AND LET THE BEES REST AND CALM DOWN. CAREFULLY PULL SCREEN PARTIALLY OUT TO LET THE BEES FLY TILL INSTALLATION.

6. INSTALLATION PLACE NUC IN FRONT OF NEW HIVE AND REMOVE 5 FRAMES TO MAKE ROOM FOR NUC

7. IT MIGHT BE BEST TO HAVE YOUR SMOKER READY OR YOUR HONEY B HEALTHY SPRAY ON HAND AS YOU OPEN THE NUC. MANY WILL HAVE BURR COMB UNDER THE COVER.

8. 1 2 3 5 KEEP FRAMES IN ORDER BURR COMB SHOULD BE SCRAPED FROM THE TOP BARS BEST TO USE SMOKE TO MOVE BEES AWAY 4

9. TRANSFER EACH FRAME, ONE BY ONE AND PLACE IN ORDER INTO THE NEW HIVE. TRY TO HANDLE CAREFULLY, USING SLOW MOVEMENTS. A PUFF OF SMOKE ACROSS THE FRAMES IN THE NUC BOX WILL KEEP EVERYONE CALM. IT IS BEST TO NOT TAKE THE TIME NOW TO LOOK FOR YOUR QUEEN, BUT LET THEM SETTLE IN FOR A FEW DAYS. REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVE ALL STAGES OF BROOD, YOU SHOULD HAVE A QUEEN IN RESIDENCE.

10. SETTLED IN NEW HOME WE USE A DIVISION BOARD FEEDER AS THEY WILL NEED TO BE FED FRAMES ARE KEPT IN ORDER JUST AS THEY CAME OUT OF THE NUC BOX 1 2 3 4 5

11. NICE FRAME OF BROOD AND CAPPED HONEY

12. YOU SHOULD SEE ALL STAGES OF BROOD ON YOUR FRAMES. EGGS, LARVA AND CAPPED BROOD. AND OF COURSE, HER MAJESTY, THE QUEEN!

13. FEED SUGAR SYRUP (1:1) AND PLACE OVER INNER COVER. USE 5 LBS SUGAR IN 5 PINTS OF HOT WATER

14. YOUR EMPTY DEEP BODY COVERS THE FEEDING PAIL ENCLOSE THE NEW COLONY WITH THE COVER A BRICK OR ROCK WILL SECURE THE COVER LET THE HIVE SETTLE IN FOR 5 TO 6 DAYS BEFORE YOUR FIRST INSPECTION

15. IF YOU NEED TO REQUEEN, LAY CAGE BETWEEN 2 FRAMES SO THE BEES HAVE ACCESS TO ALL SIDES OF THE QUEEN CAGE PLACE 1” SHIM ON BROOD BOX TO GIVE WORKERS BETTER COVERAGE ON QUEEN CAGE. SUGAR AND POLLEN PATTY NOT NECESSARY

16. AS THE QUEEN LAYS AND THE HIVE EXPANDS, THE SECOND DEEP WILL BE NEEDED WHEN ALL BUT 2 FRAMES ARE COVERED WITH BEES CONTINUE TO FEED AS LONG AS THEY ARE TAKING IT OR NEARLY ALL FOUNDATION IS DRAWN INTO COMB

17. A WALKING IRIS – HOUSE PLANT AND AVAILABLE AT THE POLLINATION PLANT SALE ON MAY 14, 2011.