Nuc to hive for the first time tomorrow

[Zante]

I'll be moving the bees I collected today from the nuc they're in to their permanent home. I'm planning to do it shortly after lunch, as the foragers will be out and there will be fewer bees in the hives.

Currently the two nucs are where the hives are supposed to go, and the hives are three or four meters away, entrances closed, and with the space for the nuc's six frames ready.

The plan is to open the hive's entrance, move the nuc and replace it with the hive. Open the hive, open the nuc, transfer the frames giving them a quick look, shake the bees left in the nuc into the hive, replace the hive's crown board, fill the feeder, replace roof.

Repeat for second colony.

Pack away the nucs to return them.

Anything I should do differently?
I know this is pretty basic, but you know what it's like when you're doing something for the first time, you start second guessing yourself.

 

[Millet]

I am still pretty new to all this but i would be 50/50 on feeding them, do they need it as mine are piling pollen and nectar in at the moment.

 

[pargyle]

Five frame Nuc to 10 frame hive .. I would just give them 2 new frames to work with, one either side of the five frames you are transferring and then dummy out the rest of the hive until they have drawn those frames (less space to control the heat and humidity in). Add two more when they are drawn ..

Feeding .. depends on what forage there is in your area - stacks of stuff around down here so I wouldn't bother but it's a local call on that.

 

[Zante]

Six frames in the nuc to a ten frame hive, so four frames of foundation.
Loads of bees in the nuc, very very packed, they shouldn't have problems in keeping the temperatures in the hive, especially since the weather is quite warm here in Tuscany.

As for forage, there is quite a bit around. In two or three weeks there should be the acacia flow, followed by the chestnut flow. There would also be a lime flow if the trees hadn't all been cut back. Maybe next year, or the year after...

I was planning to feed mainly to give them a hand with the drawing of the frames, no more than a couple of litres of medium syrup each, while they find their bearings in their new location.

 

[Millet]

I bought a 5 frame Nuc 3yrs ago and put un drawn foundation around them, no feed was given and i still have the same bees now and i am on the cold north east cost of England..

 

[Zante]

Fair enough...

 

[Poly Hive]

I would have set the nucs in front of the hive so that on removing the nuc they are pretty aware of the hives.

PH

 

[Zante]

I would have set the nucs in front of the hive so that on removing the nuc they are pretty aware of the hives.

PH

Didn't think of that, but would have been difficult anyway. The ground is sloping and I had to dig up a flat space for the hive stand (which wasn't delivered. I'm using a small pallet for the moment while waiting for it) and shored up the flat space with a few bricks.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Six frames in the nuc to a ten frame hive, so four frames of foundation.
Loads of bees in the nuc, very very packed, they shouldn't have problems in keeping the temperatures in the hive, especially since the weather is quite warm here in Tuscany.

As for forage, there is quite a bit around. In two or three weeks there should be the acacia flow, followed by the chestnut flow. There would also be a lime flow if the trees hadn't all been cut back. Maybe next year, or the year after...

I was planning to feed mainly to give them a hand with the drawing of the frames, no more than a couple of litres of medium syrup each, while they find their bearings in their new location.

Not sure what you mean by "medium" syrup. I'd have suggested a limited amount of 1:1 or weaker then let them forage if nectar is coming in.

 

[Zante]

Not sure what you mean by "medium" syrup. I'd have suggested a limited amount of 1:1 or weaker then let them forage if nectar is coming in.

I do mean 1:1 syrup.

 

[Zante]

Apparently there is a peach orchard directly above the hives (well, the nucs so far) so I'll have to go and speak to the owner and find out what kind of treatments are done to the trees before I put the bees in the hives. If necessary nucs will be easier to move.

With a bit of luck it might be an organic orchard.

 

[Zante]

One persons feisty bees are another person's "AAAAARGH YOU BASTARDS!"

I started with the hive that looked more active. They were not happy. My mistake probably, because they'd been transported there yesterday morning, and could have not settled yet. Had to walk down the hill and to the car every couple of frames, although I must admit the latter ones were easier, possibly me being a little calmer and doing things better. Thankfully I decided to wear a jumper under the suit, for added thickness, which wasn't easy on a south facing Tuscan hillside.

In the end I managed to transfer them, and they seem to have taken to the new hive. I was able to gather my tools and leave with very few bees around me and all of the bees that were harassing me (well, from their point of view I suppose I was harassing them) crawling around the hive entrance.

I gave them two litres of 1:1 syrup, and they lost no time in finding it and tucking in. I didn't even have to dribble some through the hole to attract them. I could see foragers with bright yellow pollen though, so they are finding food for themselves.

As I was loading the car it started raining, so I thanked my decision of leaving the second colony in the nuc for now, and thought to myself that the rain could have been an additional reason for the bees being irritable.

A few mistakes made, a few lessons learnt, and let's see how the second hive goes in a couple of days. This other colony seems to be less irritable.

 

[Brigsy]

Happy days. Well done.

 

[Swarm]

Heh, always leave them a few days after moving them. You found out with a nuc, better than a full colony.

 

[Zante]

Heh, always leave them a few days after moving them. You found out with a nuc, better than a full colony.

Lol, indeed.

Regarding the peach orchard, I spoke to the owner, and he said that, yes, they do treat the peaches (around June) but not the blossoms, and they keep the ground clear, so there are no other flowers that could attract the bees.

I have left them my number, so they can call me before doing the treatment, and I can shut them in for the duration. They used to keep bees themselves, so they were very understanding. Furthermore, one of them is a carpenter, and offered his services to build hives and supers. First thing I'll get him to build, though, are twin stands for two of my aquariums.

I will have to get some small dishes of water that fit on the hive porch so they have access to it for the day that they'll be confined, or maybe I can use the feeders?

 

[Zante]

That was a lot better.

A lot of bees flying this time too, but just disturbed and confused, not aggressive. I only stopped the transfer because the smoker went out and I stopped to relight it. Fortunately I had little use for it.

I was even able to give the combs a look. Plenty of brood, a bit less in stores, but I suppose this is the time of the year when stores are the most hit, and the transfer to my apiary wouldn't have helped. In any case they got their 2 litres of 1:1 syrup too.

Again, bees going in with pollen, so I expect nectar too, and I noticed that a few trees on the way to the apiary have bloomed.

First colony was also a lot more docile, and only made a bit of noise when I lifted the crown board to have a quick look (no need for inspection yet). Of course the syrup was gone.

Still lessons to be learnt: how to use the smoker properly, and how to keep it lit (and plenty more I'm sure...)