So you have ordered your nucs, and you’re about to bring them home. This is an exciting time and also one of the most intimidating times for new beekeepers. You will actually be around the bees now! Here, I will share everything you need to know so you can feel confident the next 24 hours will go smoothly!
This Guide Covers
- What a nuc is and why the first 24 hours matter
- What beginners usually worry about (and what’s actually important)
- Quick summary of what you will do vs. what you won’t do yet
What Is a Nuc?
How to Install a Nuc
Before You Pick Up Your Nuc
What to Bring
- Ratchet straps, (you may need to strap them closed)
- Veil, jacket, or suit (your seller may show you the bees, which is good practice, and you want to be prepared. Also if something went wrong on the way home it is best to be prepared and have protective gear to deal with the problem.)
- Sugar syrup (if feeding on a multi day trip, otherwise have this ready at home)
- A way to secure the nuc in your vehicle (duct tape, a mesh nuc bag which I highly recommend, or additional straps if they will be in the back of a truck )
- Ventilation and cooling plan (don’t cover ventilation spots made into the nuc, and either run the AC or bring reusable ice packs to place near the nuc to provide cooling.)
Timing Matters
Evening pickup is ideal. This allows you to inspect the nuc, to be sure what you are getting, and the bees that fly will be flying right back as evening approaches. The bees are also used to being in their box and won’t be unhappy to not fly.
A cool evening is best to pick them up, although this often cannot be guaranteed, as nuc pickup is arranged in advance. When bees are unable to fly/ventilate as they normally do, this raises internal temperature, which can stress the bees and queen.
How long bees can safely stay in the nuc box is dependent on many factors. Honey bee colonies are started in nuc boxes, so this box has likely been your new bees’ home for the past month at least. If they are extremely full, you should move them in the next 24-48 hours.
Transporting Your Nuc Safely
How to Load It Into Your Vehicle
- Keeping your new nuc as level as possible
- Don’t cover or block the ventilation holes
- Avoiding placing it in direct sun
- Place it in such a way that it cannot slide around
Temperature Management
If the bees are too hot, or have been moved roughly, they may begin to roar, very loudly. Place them beside a cool object, such as a plastic cold block, or turn the AC up, if they are in the vehicle. If they are in a truck cab, get moving for more airflow.
Bees should not be able to cluster at the entrance, but if they do, gently smoke them back inside before sealing the entrance.
Driving Tips
Believe it or not, there are driving considerations too! Accelerate smoothly, avoid long stops, and if you must stop, take the nuc somewhere with AC! Do not leave the nucs in a hot car!! This will stress them or could kill them.
Where to Place the Nuc When You Get Home
When you get home, immediately remove the bees from your vehicle. Your apiary should be set up by now, so what I do is place each nuc on top of the box it will be placed into. Ideally there should be some shade in the area where they are being placed so they don’t overheat. There is what is called the 3 feet or 3 mile rule in beekeeping. To move bees, you must either move them more than three miles or less than three feet in a single day, or they will be confused. This is why it is important to place the bees on top of their new homes. Make sure their entrances are facing the correct way. They will stay here for the next 12-24 hours to allow them to calm down so you can transfer them more easily. This also allows the foragers an opportunity to reorient themselves.
What to Do in the First 1–2 Hours
Open the Entrance
Open the entrance as soon as you have the nucs in place. This is a critical step and one people often forget about. Use your hive tool or a pocket knife to pop this style out.
The bees will begin to fly, which is normal. They will come back to the hive. They need to be able to gather food and water and use the bathroom. They might even cluster on the exit and fan to cool the hive down.
Check Ventilation
Bees need air just like we do. When they are overheated, they will fan to cool down the hive.
When the bees are fanning, make sure all entrances and ventilation is clear. If there is excessive fanning (more than a baseball size of bees) consider propping open the lid a small crack with a stick.
If the bees are not fanning, just ensure the entrance is open.
Decide Whether to Feed
If the nuc is full, don’t feed them until they are in their new hive, but if they have a frame feeder, or are light, you should feed them. Talk to the beekeeper you are getting them from and they will be able to help you know if you should feed them right away.
If they are going into an apiary with full size hives, an internal feeder is best to prevent robbing from larger hives.
What to Expect in the First 12–24 Hours
Normal Bee Behavior
- Orientation flights (bees leaving and flying in a circular flight path)
- Bearding (up to the size of a baseball)
- Guard bees at the entrance of the hive
- Light traffic vs. heavy traffic (once the plug has been removed for about an hour, I’d be pleased by about 20 bees leaving a minute, assuming it is warm and sunny out.)
What’s NOT Normal
- Continuous roaring
- Bees pouring out
- No activity at all
- Overheating signs
Weather Considerations
Any abnormal weather could change what is expected from the new nuc. They may stay inside more or fan more.
- Rain
- Cold nights
- Hot afternoons
Your First Quick Check (Without Opening the Box)
What You Can Assess From the Outside
- Traffic level (20 bees leaving a minute is good)
- Temperament (are they chasing you? They shouldn’t be.)
- Ventilation (is there excessive bearding?)
- Weight of the nuc (it should feel substantial and slightly heavy)
What You Should Not Do Yet
- Don’t open the lid
- Don’t pull frames
- Don’t disturb the cluster
When You’re Ready to Install the Nuc
Ideal Timing
- 24–48 hours after pickup
- Sunny weather conditions
- Ideally between 10 AM and 3 PM (so most of the foragers are gone)
What You’ll Need
- Hive body
- Frames
- Smoker (optional)
- Feeder (if needed)
When you’re ready to move your nuc into its permanent hive, follow my step‑by‑step guide with lots of pictures to installing a nuc.
Common Mistakes New Beekeepers Make
- Installing too soon (let the bees settle down)
- Leaving the nuc in full sun (they are more likely to overheat)
- Blocking ventilation (they need to be able to breathe, so this can be deadly for them)
- Overfeeding (if the bees don’t need food, you are risking robbing behavior)
- Panicking at normal bee behavior (new beekeepers don’t usually have a baseline for what is normal, so it’s easy to panic)
FAQs
- How long can a nuc stay in the box? The bees can stay in a nuc box for 12-48 hours. Bees are raised in these boxes, but for new beekeepers I would recommend transferring them to their new hive within 48 hours. If in doubt, ask the beekeeper you bought them from. They will have a much better idea how strong the nuc is.
- Should I feed my nuc? If there is a spot for an internal feeder, yes. If the nuc is light, it’s a good idea to feed it. I usually feed nucs when they have been transferred to the full-size hive.
- What if it’s raining? The bees will be alright in their nuc. On the first day with no thunder or rain transfer the bees.
- What if the bees seem aggressive? They may be agitated from traveling. Traveling is stressful to the bees, so don’t judge their temperament too harshly just yet.
- What if I see bearding? Some bearding is normal, but if it’s more than a baseball size clump of bees, consider cracking the lid slightly.
Recommended Next Reads
- What to Expect Your First Week With a Nuc coming soon
- How to Transfer Your Nuc to Its New Hive
- First Hive Inspection
- Feeding Bees: When, Why, and How
- How Long It Takes a Nuc to Grow Into a Full Hive coming soon
If you’re looking for more beginner support, I run a Facebook group just for new beekeepers.
You can ask questions anytime and get help from a friendly, supportive community.
https://facebook.com/groups/932328275814857/
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