View source for Nuc Guidelines

[[File:DJI_0110.JPG|200px|thumb|left|Virginia Beach Area]]Nucleus bee hives, or Nucs, are small 4 to 5 frame hives complete and functioning as a unit. A Nuc contains a laying queen, should have brood at all stages of development and a work force of differing ages. Nucs are used to create a new full sized hive, much like packages, and have several advantages. The bees are already working together as a colony and have accepted the queen. The queen is laying and should have a good brood pattern. A Nuc hive is easier to install in full sized 8 or 10-frame hive equipment.

If you’re considering purchasing a Nuc, here are some questions you should ask the producer to help you determine if the Nuc being offered meets your needs.

*What is the price the producer is asking for their Nuc?
*What size frames were used to make up the Nuc? Medium? Deep?
*How many frames are in the Nuc? 4 or 5?
*Does the provider require a frame exchange, and if so, what kind (Wood frames? One-piece plastic frames? Wax or plastic foundation, etc.)?
*When was the queen installed in the Nuc?
*How old is the queen? What type of queen (hygienic? race? Open mated?)? Is she marked, and if so, with what color?
*Is the Nuc an “over wintered” or a “spring” nuc?
*When will the Nuc be ready for pick up?
*Do you need to bring your own equipment when you pick up the Nuc?
*Has the Nuc been treated with a miticides, and if so, what chemical?
*When was the provider’s apiary state inspected for disease? (NOTE: Prior inspection of bees for sale is a state requirement)

When it’s time to pick up your Nuc, check with the provider to see what you need to bring and when you need to arrive. Most providers will require you to travel to their location, so be prepared. Make sure your apiary is ready. Have your full sized hive set up and ready for installation. Nucs are packed with bees and should be moved to your full sized hive as soon as possible. Otherwise your bees might swarm.

Installing your Nuc is easy. Simply move the frames from the delivery box into your hive. Be sure to keep the frames from the Nuc together and in the order that they were delivered. Do not place empty frames in between the Nuc frames. Add your empty frames equally on each outside ends of the Nuc frames. Add an entrance reducer and let them fly, and feed them, Feed Them, FEED THEM. Nucs are usually delivered late in our nectar flow season. They will build up fast, but need lots of food to be successful.

==Nuc Providers==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !! Phone Numbers !! Area !! Nuc Type !!data-sort-type="currency"| Price
|-
| Leroy Byler || 540-661-7567 || Remington, VA || Deep 5 frame || $195
|-
| Leroy Byler || 540-661-7567 || Remington, VA || Med 5 frame || $165
|-
| Glenn Garasic || 540-718-9820 || Rixeyville, VA || Med 5 frame || $165
|}

==Queen Providers==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Name !! Phone Numbers !! Area !! Type !!data-sort-type="currency"| Price
|-
| Leroy Byler || 540-661-7567 || Remington, VA || VSH from a John Harbo breeder queen, marked || $45
|}