Combining Q+ nuc to Q- hive

[Fritillary]

- in the same apiary.
i need to do this, and it'd be much better to add the Q+ nuc (which has a super on it) to the Q-National hive in the hive's current position.

Do you think it would be best to start by transferring the bees from the nuc, with all their frames, into a National brood box on their current site first, before closing it up, stuffing leaves etc into its entrance then moving it on top of/next to the hive to settle there for a couple of days before combining them?

- Would then remove the ex-nuc's floor and combine with hive below with paper and queen excluder.

It sounds complicated, but I don't want to be risking anything at this time of year!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Do it all in an afternoon
Move the nuc into a brood box in the current position, leave them settle - a few hours until dusk is sufficient. Prepare the receiving hive by putting newspaper in place over the supers (if there are any), held there with a queen excluder, again, wait until dusk. Move Q+ BB over and put in place above receiving hive.
Job done, the few straggler bees will soon find their way into the hive.
Wait a few days for them to unite then go in and consolidate all the frames/boxes.

 

[Fritillary]

Fantastic. Many thanks!