Nucs & Bees
Nucs, Bees & Queens
What the Nuc
A “Nuc” (pronounced ‘Nuk’ like the bomb!) is short for a nucleus colony, which is a starter colony of bees that includes a queen and five or seven frames of brood, pollen, and honey.
It’s essentially a starter colony that is used to start a new hive . Nucs are commonly used in beekeeping for their convenience and effectiveness in establishing new colonies.
Nucs, Bees and Queens
At Australian Bee Supplies, we’re proud to produce and distribute high-quality Queen bees produced by us as well as sourced from both local stock and professional Queen breeders.
Our Queens are ‘open-mated’ in beautiful Northern Victoria in a restricted zone, where they can access the best genetics controlled by us and produce exceptional offspring.
WE NOW HAVE Varroa resilient genetic stock!
In addition to our standard Queen bees, we also offer Breeder Queens to meet the needs of commercial beekeepers and Queen producers (advanced orders are required).
Breeder Queens are in high demand and must be ordered ahead of time to ensure availability, waiting times range from 1- 3 years depending on genetics and requirements.
Please note that our stock is limited, and we allocate Queens on a first-come, first-serve basis. So if you’re interested in securing one of our exceptional Queens, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!
How to Collect your Nuc from Australian Bee Supplies
If you’re interested in purchasing a Nuc (nucleus colony) from Australian Bee Supplies and planning to pick it up yourself, here’s what you need to know:
1. Schedule your pickup:
Before you arrive, be sure to schedule a pickup time with us. This ensures that your Nuc will be ready and waiting for you when you arrive.
2. Bring the right equipment:
Make sure you have the proper equipment to transport your Nuc safely, including a bee suit, smoker, hive tool, and a transport box or hive. We recommend bringing a few extra pieces of equipment, just in case.
3. Prepare your vehicle:
If you’re transporting your Nuc in your own vehicle, make sure it’s clean and free of any chemicals or strong smells that could be harmful to the bees. We recommend covering the Nuc with a net or cloth to keep the bees contained during transport.
4. Arrive on time:
Make sure you arrive on time for your scheduled pickup. Our team will be ready to assist you and answer any questions you may have.
5. Handle with care:
Once you have your Nuc, handle it with care and avoid jostling or shaking it. Keep it in a cool, shaded area until you’re ready to transfer it to its permanent hive.
6. Installation & Mentoring:
If you’re new to beekeeping, we recommend taking advantage of our installation and mentoring services. Our team can provide expert guidance and support to help you get your new bees off to a great start.
At Australian Bee Supplies, we’re committed to providing a safe and convenient pickup process for our Nucs. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you succeed in all your beekeeping endeavors.
5 Frame bee nucleus
starter colony
A 5 Frame Bee Nucleus Starter Colony is a colony of bees that includes a queen and frames of brood, pollen, and honey.
It’s essentially a starter colony that can be used to start a new hive and grow into a working hive.
Our 5 Frame Nucleus Starter Colonies are an excellent way to start a new hive or to increase the population of an existing hive. They’re also great for replacing a queen that may be old or failing, ensuring the continued success of your beekeeping operation.
We take great care to ensure that our 5 Frame Nucleus Starter Colonies are healthy, disease-free, and ready to thrive in their new environment. We also offer advice and support to our customers to help them get the most out of their starter colonies. So if you’re looking to start a new hive or replace a queen in an existing hive, consider our 5 Frame Nucleus Starter Colonies at Australian Bee Supplies.
Flow hives with
established colonies
Flow hives with established colonies are a revolutionary new way to keep bees and harvest honey. At Australian Bee Supplies, we offer Flow hives with established colonies that are healthy, disease-free, and ready to produce delicious, high-quality honey.
Flow hives use a unique system that allows beekeepers to harvest honey without disturbing the bees or damaging the hive. Instead of traditional honey extraction methods that require removing frames and disrupting the hive, Flow hives have a tap that allows honey to flow out of the hive and into a collection container, with minimal disturbance to the bees.
Our Flow hives with established colonies come with a full complement of bees, including a healthy queen and a strong population of worker bees. These colonies are thriving and ready to produce honey using the innovative Flow hive system.
We take great care to ensure that our Flow hives with established colonies are healthy and well-cared for before we sell them. We also offer advice and support to our customers to help them get the most out of their Flow hives and to ensure the continued success of their beekeeping operation. So if you’re looking for a new and innovative way to keep bees and harvest honey, consider our Flow hives with established colonies at Australian Bee Supplies.
Full 8 Frame and 10
Frame Established
Working Beehives
Full 8 Frame and 10 Frame Established Working Beehives are an excellent choice for experienced beekeepers who are looking to expand their beekeeping operation or to replace old or failing hives.
At Australian Bee Supplies, we offer high-quality, established beehives that are healthy, disease-free, and ready to produce honey. Our hives come with a full complement of bees, including a healthy queen and a strong population of worker bees.
Our 8 Frame and 10 Frame Established Working Beehives are made from durable, high-quality materials that are designed to last for years. They’re also designed to be easy to use, with convenient features like removable frames and easy-to-clean components.
We take great care to ensure that our beehives are healthy and thriving before we sell them. We also offer advice and support to our customers to help them get the most out of their established beehives. So if you’re an experienced beekeeper looking for a reliable, established beehive to add to your operation, consider our Full 8 Frame and 10 Frame Established Working Beehives at Australian Bee Supplies.
How to transfer Nucs
into beehives after
getting them home
At Australian Bee Supplies, we’re committed to providing the support and resources our customers need to succeed in all their beekeeping endeavors. If you have any questions or concerns about transferring your Nuc into its permanent hive, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
1. Choose the right hive:
Make sure you have a suitable hive ready for your Nuc. This should include frames, a bottom board, a brood box, and a cover.
2. Plan your transfer:
Plan your transfer for a warm, sunny day when the bees are most active. Make sure you have all the necessary tools and equipment, including a bee suit, smoker, hive tool, and gloves.
3. Move the Nuc:
Gently move the Nuc to its permanent location, making sure it’s level and secure.
4. Smoke the bees:
Use your smoker to calm the bees and make them easier to handle.
5. Remove the frames:
Carefully remove the frames from the Nuc, making sure to avoid crushing any bees.
6. Transfer the frames:
Transfer the frames into the brood box of your permanent hive, making sure they’re arranged in the same order as they were in the Nuc.
7. Add additional frames:
If necessary, add additional frames to fill out the brood box.
8. Close the hive:
Place the cover on the hive, making sure it’s secure.
9. Check back regularly:
Place the cover on the hive, making sure it’s secure. Check back regularly: Check back regularly to make sure the bees are settling in and to monitor their progress.
Transferring Nucs into beehives can be an exciting and rewarding experience for beekeepers of all levels. Here’s what you need to know to transfer your Nuc into its permanent hive after bringing it home from Australian Bee Supplies:
