Description
Important Note
Nucleus colonies are only suitable for experienced beekeepers, those with a mentor, or individuals currently taking a beekeeping course. For information about our mentoring program, please contact us.
Terms & Conditions for Nuc Purchases
Cancellations:
If you cancel your order after 14 days, we will refund 85% of the purchase amount. The remaining 15% will be retained as a cancellation fee to cover production and administrative costs. For full terms and conditions, visit our dedicated page.
Our Queens
We work with Northumberland Honey to supply Buckfast queens that are bred for their Varroa Sensitive Hygienic (VSH) traits, which help disrupt the Varroa mite’s lifecycle. These queens are well-suited to the UK climate and are bred at their remote breeding stations.
Additional Options
Clipping
All queens are supplied marked, and we recommend clipping for new beekeepers to reduce the likelihood of losing a swarm.
Feeding
Bees require significant energy to produce wax, and a new colony will benefit from feeding. We recommend providing syrup when installing your nuc.
Nucleus Box
Our 5-frame nucs are supplied in a temporary correx box, suitable only for transporting the bees. For ongoing use, the colony will need to be transferred to a hive.
Collection Information
Collection Process
Collection is typically available from the beginning of May onwards. Once you place your order, we will contact you to confirm a collection date. Please note that collection dates may be affected by weather conditions, so we recommend allowing a contingency period of 1–2 weeks.
Colonies must be collected early in the morning or late evening to ensure safe transport. Please bring a bee suit, gloves, smoker, and a hive strap to secure the nuc box in your vehicle.
Ensure your vehicle is well-ventilated and cool, with the nuc box placed securely to prevent overheating or frame movement during transport.
Collection Location
The location for collection is Camberley, Surrey and will be shared with you when an allotted time and date is set for you. Delivery can be arranged at cost.
After Collection
Settling In
Once home, place the nuc on its stand and open the entrance. Allow the bees to settle for 1–2 days before transferring them to their permanent hive.
Feeding
Provide invert/sugar syrup to support comb building, as bees require 8lbs of honey to produce 1lb of wax. Feeding is especially important during times of low nectar flow.
Follow-Up Inspections
Inspect your bees every 7–10 days during the active season. Plan for double brood boxes, as our queens tend to create strong, large colonies. Be prepared to manage swarming with spare equipment if needed.
Varroa Treatment
While our bees show resistance to Varroa, we recommend treating for Varroa in the autumn and winter to ensure colony health.
Support & Guarantees
We provide ongoing support via phone or email. While we cannot guarantee against swarming, absconding, or other beekeeping issues, we will offer advice and assistance.
Queen Guarantee:
Queens are guaranteed against being drone layers for the first 14 days. After this period, we will review any issues on a case-by-case basis.
