We love hearing good feedback regarding our spring NUCs. We also accept responsibility when a sold colony isn’t at it’s best. With live animals, a grand prize winner isn’t a guarantee every time. Nevertheless, good bee suppliers with conscientious practices will have many more successes than failures. I hope the following tips give you the tools you need for evaluating a spring NUC.
It might seem obvious but not all NUCs are raised equally. A NUC may look pretty or it may not look like much. The initial appearance doesn’t always reveal future progress. How that NUC was prepared and how your new queen was raised is a better predictor. Your supplier is working with hundreds of hives and moving resources from one to another to give each NUC what it needs for success. Understanding the habits and motivations of your supplier is beneficial for understanding future advantages of your colony.
As the owner of City Bee Savers I’ve had the good fortune of meeting excellent NUC suppliers. Most love their bees and love helping other beekeepers in the process. A heart warming aspect of our community. Recently there’s been a boom in the number of new beekeepers. Unfortunately, this has brought with it a few not so conscientious bee suppliers. The following should give you help assessing your supplier.
Honey bee colonies unlike pets are wild creatures free to roam and full of genetics we can’t always control. Even the best of suppliers will produce a few colonies who don’t perform. It happens. Nevertheless, you will see less of that when bees and queens are raised with care. Here are a few habits a good supplier will employ. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The conscientious hardworking supplier is happy to share.
- They make sure to remove old comb every 4 to 5 years. They won’t pass it on to you.
- They encourage bees to make new wax every year. New wax is healthier for the bees. Queens love it.
- They relentlessly improve their line of queens or have a great outside resource who does. The queen is the most important bee in your NUC. All your new bees are from her line as well as her 12 to 20 one night stands.
- They provide your NUC with a good batch of brood, frames with eggs and a queen that has proven herself over several weeks. She should have enough resources, pollen & honey to begin the build up to a healthy summer colony.
- They have clean bee yard work practices.
- They monitor and keep mites out of their hives.
- They know when bees look unhealthy and what to do if they are struggling.
- They are well read but always willing to learn.
- They love bees as well as beekeepers.
- They make themselves approachable and willing to provide understanding when you need it.