marcros
House Bee
There are obviously variations to using mininucs, and personal preferences- this is more or less what I do. If anybody wants a pdf copy, which is laid out a bit better, please pm me with email address.
Stocking Mininucs
Equipment needed:
Mininuc Hand Sprayer, filled with water Mug
Wax foundation for starter strip Sugar (Cell Protector)
Cardboard box (larger in width than the size of a brood frame)
These instructions will need adapting if you are using different food. If using fondant, a cut comb container is useful to enable a quick change when food is low. If not using sugar, the nucs can be stocked from the bottom, with frames left in place.
1. Assemble mini nuc (entrance mesh, frames etc.). If using new frames, fit each with a 1cm starter strip of foundation. A line of melted wax will hold it in place. If you are using drawn combs, just break the old comb off, leaving about 1cm- the bees will draw this down quite happily.
2. Fill feed compartment of mini nuc with dry white sugar. Spray with hand sprayer until the surface is damp. When the bees need feeding, dry white sagar can be added, and given a quick spray. Make sure entrance is closed.
3. Remove all frames from mini nuc. Take a brood frame from hive, having caged and put safe the queen. Do not operate on the assumption that she is not on the frame- know where she is not, by finding her! Give each side of the frame 3-4 sprays of water so that the bees are damp.
4. Hold frame over cardboard box and give it a good firm shake so that all bees go into box. (It is easiest to do this whilst kneeling) Drop frame onto floor whilst you do next stages- it will come to no harm in the 30 seconds, and you need to move quite quickly. The dampness of the bees should stop too many flying when you do this
5. Bang box onto the floor, so that there is a mass of damp bees on the bottom. Tilt the box, so this mass of bees go into one corner. (This makes it easier to scoop them in the next part)
6. Take mug and scoop up enough damp bees to ¾ fill. Tip into mininuc. Quickly replace frames, inner cover and lid
7. Put nuc in a cool dark place for 24 hours, e.g. shed, cellar etc.
8. After this 24 hours, introduce a ripe queen cell in a cell protector towards the back of the nuc (where the temperature is warmest), or run in a virgin queen. By this time, the bees have realised that they are queenless, and there is a good acceptance.
9. Return to cool dark place for 2-3 more days, then put outside in a shaded place (i.e not in direct sunlight), preferably in the evening. Open the entrance.
10. Check every couple of days that the unit has sufficient food, and for signs of the queen laying. You do not need smoke when inspecting, instead a little water spray will keep the flying bees down. When you have established that the queen is mated correctly (eg there is female brood present), the queen should be moved to a full size nuc etc.
Stocking Mininucs
Equipment needed:
Mininuc Hand Sprayer, filled with water Mug
Wax foundation for starter strip Sugar (Cell Protector)
Cardboard box (larger in width than the size of a brood frame)
These instructions will need adapting if you are using different food. If using fondant, a cut comb container is useful to enable a quick change when food is low. If not using sugar, the nucs can be stocked from the bottom, with frames left in place.
1. Assemble mini nuc (entrance mesh, frames etc.). If using new frames, fit each with a 1cm starter strip of foundation. A line of melted wax will hold it in place. If you are using drawn combs, just break the old comb off, leaving about 1cm- the bees will draw this down quite happily.
2. Fill feed compartment of mini nuc with dry white sugar. Spray with hand sprayer until the surface is damp. When the bees need feeding, dry white sagar can be added, and given a quick spray. Make sure entrance is closed.
3. Remove all frames from mini nuc. Take a brood frame from hive, having caged and put safe the queen. Do not operate on the assumption that she is not on the frame- know where she is not, by finding her! Give each side of the frame 3-4 sprays of water so that the bees are damp.
4. Hold frame over cardboard box and give it a good firm shake so that all bees go into box. (It is easiest to do this whilst kneeling) Drop frame onto floor whilst you do next stages- it will come to no harm in the 30 seconds, and you need to move quite quickly. The dampness of the bees should stop too many flying when you do this
5. Bang box onto the floor, so that there is a mass of damp bees on the bottom. Tilt the box, so this mass of bees go into one corner. (This makes it easier to scoop them in the next part)
6. Take mug and scoop up enough damp bees to ¾ fill. Tip into mininuc. Quickly replace frames, inner cover and lid
7. Put nuc in a cool dark place for 24 hours, e.g. shed, cellar etc.
8. After this 24 hours, introduce a ripe queen cell in a cell protector towards the back of the nuc (where the temperature is warmest), or run in a virgin queen. By this time, the bees have realised that they are queenless, and there is a good acceptance.
9. Return to cool dark place for 2-3 more days, then put outside in a shaded place (i.e not in direct sunlight), preferably in the evening. Open the entrance.
10. Check every couple of days that the unit has sufficient food, and for signs of the queen laying. You do not need smoke when inspecting, instead a little water spray will keep the flying bees down. When you have established that the queen is mated correctly (eg there is female brood present), the queen should be moved to a full size nuc etc.
