Purchasing a Nuc

[daveyowen]

Hello,

I am just coming to the end of my bee keeping course and have the hives assembled. The only thing that is missing are the bees!

Am I too late to buy a winter Nuc, and maybe need to purchase a Spring nuc which I will probably receive in June ?

I am also keen for suggestions on where to purchase a nuc. Otherwise I can see it being pot luck. Can someone please offer some tips on good suppliers?

Many thanks,

David
Bucks

 

[Buzz Bee Babe]

I’m in the same shop, so interested in this thread.

You could be lucky and find a swarm yet. All the best BBB

 

[pargyle]

You will be lucky to get an overwintered nuc now - most of the usual suppliers appear to be looking at supply later in the season. Beckys Bees (Andover - so not that far to go) has Nucs allegedly available at the end of May or thereabouts. I've handled bees from her queens and they are as she suggests - calm and easy to handle.

Paynes Bees are nice bees as well .. They are in Brighton but, again, you are looking May - June.

There is still time for a Nuc to go to a full colony by July/August - You might not get much of a crop this year but it's a good learning curve to start with a Nuc and build it up to overwinter. If you wish you could also look at splitting them late season and perhaps buy in a queen so you take two colonies into winter.

https://www.iwantbees.co.uk/6-frame-nucs/

https://www.beckysbeesonlineshop.co.uk/Nucs-of-Bees/

For Queens - Ged Marshal who is not far from Buckingham - unfortunately he does not sell bees - just queens.

http://britishhoneyproducersltd.com/Queen_bees.html