Transferring a Nuc to a Longhive

[Hera]

I am collecting my first bees next week from a local supplier. It’s a 12 frame over-wintered nuc in a national polyhive.

The supplier is about 1 mile away (as the bee flies) from my allotment site when I plan to put the bees. When I expressed concerns over the distance, the supplier said it will not be a problem at this time of year. Is this correct?

I plan to put the polyhive next to my long hive and transfer when the temperature is at least 15 degrees.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[Boston Bees]

I am collecting my first bees next week from a local supplier. It’s a 12 frame over-wintered nuc in a national polyhive.

The supplier is about 1 mile away (as the bee flies) from my allotment site when I plan to put the bees. When I expressed concerns over the distance, the supplier said it will not be a problem at this time of year. Is this correct?

I plan to put the polyhive next to my long hive and transfer when the temperature is at least 15 degrees.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

No decent supplier should be providing nucs in the first week of February. There's absolutely no way of knowing how healthy the colony is. And how can you be sure they aren't just going to starve in March, as many do.

I'd recommend asking to delay picking them up until he's done a couple of proper inspections in April.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Can I ask why you are collecting the bees now? February is one of the prime times colonies are lost in the winter
Surely better to collect a thriving nuc that HAS overwintered

 

[Ian123]

The distance your moving them this time of year is not an issue, the fact the supplier is offering them now is rather worrying. I always thought begging of April or in decent years end of March. That was also on the basis you’d had a chance to inspect them as well. I’d also suggest you attend a local course and perhaps the supplier at the same time

 

[Hera]

Can I ask why you are collecting the bees now? February is one of the prime times colonies are lost in the winter
Surely better to collect a thriving nuc that HAS overwintered

I was intending on ordering a nuc to collect April/May time, but when I contacted my local supplier, he gave me the option of the 12 frame nuc. I was very excited by the prospect as I am very keen to get going.

 

[Erichalfbee]

@Hera
That’s three of us in agreement
Transfer them when you get them in April.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I was intending on ordering a nuc to collect April/May time, but when I contacted my local supplier, he gave me the option of the 12 frame nuc. I was very excited by the prospect as I am very keen to get going.

12 frames is a full size colony even if it is in a nuc configuration
You really are better starting with a small colony.
Have you done a beekeeping course and joined your local association?

 

[Hera]

The distance your moving them this time of year is not an issue, the fact the supplier is offering them now is rather worrying. I always thought begging of April or in decent years end of March. That was also on the basis you’d had a chance to inspect them as well. I’d also suggest you attend a local course and perhaps the supplier at the same time

I have just started the second season of a beginners course with my local BKA. The rest of my classmates got their bees in August from the BKA but I had to delay as i did not have an agreement from the allotment committee.

The supplier is reputable and I think he was just trying to help me out as I am so keen to get going, but now I think I am best leaving them with him for now. I am in North Yorks, so it’s not exactly tropical around here.

Could you tell me at what point in the year the 1 mile difference will become an issue?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Could you tell me at what point in the year the 1 mile difference will become an issue?

When the bees are foraging consistently.
If there is a decent geographical feature like woodland or a hill between you then there is no issue

 

[user 819]

Will the supplier refund if they fail before winters end ?
As it has been said now is the not the time to be taking a chance.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I was intending on ordering a nuc to collect April/May time, but when I contacted my local supplier, he gave me the option of the 12 frame nuc. I was very excited by the prospect as I am very keen to get going.

Nice to see you are joining the fray. However please understand "getting going" should not involve poking about in the colony unnecessarily at any time of the year but particularly before the colony is undergoing spring expansion. There's no calendar standard date but end of March/beginning of April would be a reasonable approximation subject to weather conditions. Regular about once a week inspection in swarm season then back off again towards autumn and leave them in peace during winter.