Quality Characteristics of a Nuc – Part 4

You are paying a lot of money for your nuc and you should have a quality nuc in return!  The spectrum of quality control varies from none to excellence.  

Let’s start with what a quality nuc looks like.  First, the nuc has matured for 4 weeks plus.  This allows the hive to accept the queen and the queen has three stages of brood (egg, larva, and capped brood).  All three of these will be evident on inspection.  If you have all capped brood that is NOT a good sign.  What has happened is the seller has just taken brood from several hives and inserted a queen recently. 

The queen should be at least 9 week old and mated!  A properly mated queen will produce an abundance of brood in the hive.

The nuc should have 5,000 to 8,000 bees in the nuc.  The nuc should be full of bees on the frames.

The seller should also allow you to inspect your nuc the evening before pick-up.  This is a great time to look at frames, foundation, and brood count.  Also, inspect to see if pests are present such as Small Hive Beetles.  Regarding Small Hive Beetles, it is acceptable to have 25 or less in a nuc box.  No hive beetles is the best but not always achieveable.  Also look for abundance of dead bees.  A few dead bees are acceptable but not over 25 dead bees.

You should be able to receive a 4 to 6 week quality control report on your nuc.  Many do not offer this but I believe this will be a standard in the years to come.  This way you can see the written development of your nuc.  It will allow you insight on your nuc!  We believe this is a must for beekeepers!

Lastly, the nuc box should be clean!  This means the plastic or wax cover box is not wet or with holes! 

If you do not like what you are seeing ask for another nuc!

If you have any questions on this subject please drop us an e-mail and I will answer it!  Tomorrows subject will be wholesale vs. retail sales of nucs.

Ray