Nucleus colony
A small established colony on a few frames — a laying queen, brood, stores and bees — used to start or rescue a hive.
Definition
A nucleus, universally shortened to nuc, typically runs to five or six frames and contains everything a working colony has in miniature: a mated laying queen, brood at all stages, food stores and a proportionate population of bees. It is the standard way to start beekeeping, because unlike a collected swarm it is a known quantity with a known queen. Nucs are also used to requeen a failing colony, to make increase, and as a swarm-control measure by removing the queen and some brood.
Where the word gets used loosely
A nuc is not the same as a package of bees, which is a queen and a quantity of loose workers with no comb or brood, and behaves quite differently on installation. Buying a nuc from a local supplier with locally adapted bees is generally better advice for a beginner than either a package or a swarm.
See also
Other beekeeping terms
Sources
Sources
- HoneyHQ editorial synthesis — HEKNO Ltd · HoneyHQ synthesis
How sources are selected and weighted is set out in the sources and evidence policy.