Nucleus hives, or nucs, are fully established, self-supporting small hives consisting of five frames. Nucs are a good way to establish new full-sized hives. One of the major benefits of nucs over packaged bees is that nucs already contain a laying queen and are an established colony. They don't take the amount of time to get going that package bees do. Nucs are transported in wooden or cardboard boxes made specially for the purpose. Because they are functioning colonies in frames with comb already drawn, nucs are usually a little more expensive than package bees.

Advantages of nucs are:

• Local bees are acclimated to the area
• Quicker to establish than package bees
• Contains bees of all ages, brood and eggs
• No queen release required
• A nuc is a functioning hive ready to go to work for you

Recommended sources of nucs:

Doug Grooters, Jenison, Michigan   Phone 616- 616-291-9521 
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These are strong chemical-free nucs from overwintered survivor stock.

Mel Disselkoen, Wyoming, Michigan    Phone 616-241-3235 
Web Site: http://www.mdasplitter.com

Danny Slabaugh, Nappanee, Indiana    Cell phone: 574-315-5586 Home: 574-773-2345

Bob Baughman. Nucs are $100 each (deep frames)
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