polystyrene nucleus hive

[karen]

I want to try winter nucs in polystyrene boxes. I see in the UK they sell 6 frame polystyrene nucs for wintering. I have done a Google search came up Bee Max sold by Better Bee, that's it. Are there other suppliers? Better Bee is close to me and I order from them often but I am just wondering who else may sell them.

[cam bishop]

I have about 60 of the poly nucs from Better bee. They are pretty good for overwintering. I drill holes in the bottom to prevent water accumulation, something that has been a problem in the past. They also tend to deteriorate over the years and the bees chew out the frame rests. Bees survive pretty well over the winter, even in small clusters as long as they have ample feed. I use fondant or sugar blocks to ensure survival.

[karen]

Thanks I will order some. I have been trying different ways to winter nucs but have not hit on what I like yet. I want easy with good survival. Not asking for to much am I?

[Allen Dick]

Some people cut the bottoms off half of them and use them two-storey high.

[cam bishop]

Some people cut the bottoms off half of them and use them two-storey high.

I tried that on a couple and had problems with bee space. I have several that I cut a section out of the bottom and use screen when singles and have stacked them. Still problems with bee space. I do some with poly on the bottom and wood nucs stacked on top. As long as there are holes in the bottom to prevent water accumulation this works the best for me. I have taken many through the winter in this configuration and have pretty good success. Bees tend to stay in the bottom box longer before they move up and still survive as well or better than in the wooden nucs beside them.

[Allen Dick]

I tried that on a couple and had problems with bee space.

Too much, or too little? Under the top frames?

[cam bishop]

when I cut the bottoms off the bees glued the frames together. Took 2 man and a boy to pry them apart. When I cut a large hole in the bottom the bees built comb in the hole... I really like the wood on top of the styro nucs better. Just my experience. Only downside is some water often runs down the inside of the nuc. That's why I drill about 8 1/4" holes in the bottom and clean them out each year when I empty the nucs. The ones with screened bottom obviously don't need that and eventually I'll probably do all of them with screened bottoms. Also nice ventilation in the summer, no extensive cooling issues.

[Allen Dick]

I'll probably do all of them with screened bottoms. Also nice ventilation in the summer, no extensive cooling issues.

What about winter?

[cam bishop]

I set them on 2" styrofoam which seals the screen and provides extra insulation.

[karen]

How big of an area do you cut for the screen bottom and how do you attach the metal to the bottom? I will drill holes as you said for this winter and try stacking wood on top of them. How many boxes do you stack? One?

[cam bishop]

HI Karen,

I cut out about 3/4 of the bottom. I drill 4 holes and use a saber saw to cut between them. that has worked best for me. I lay #8 screen on the bottom. I use a little duct tape to hold it in place but the bees propolize it fairly quickly. It can be removed to stack a hive if necessary but I like the wood on top so have quit doing it. I have had some 4 high because I got behind and didn't get them reduced. They went through the winter in great shape. I do push them all together for extra warmth and stability. Most are 2 story but this year several will be 3 story. I do build a 3 sided tent over them for wind & moisture protection. I leave the south side open. I make this out of cheap tarp material from one of the box stores. tried to post an image but couldn't.


Like you it's not been a great year for splitting but a great honey year down here.

[Allen Dick]

IMG_20140719_110628.jpg

I've now enabled image uploads.

[cam bishop]

I've now enabled image uploads.

Thanks Allen.

Karen, here's a photo of how I set up my hives for winter... I push the nucs together before I put this on. I do this around Thanksgiving when bees have quit flying.

[karen]

Thanks for the information and photo. I have 16 splits right now but when I break up my queen breeding boxes that will create more nucs. This year I switched to three frame deeps for queen breeding because those mini boxes are a waste of time and resources. I will combine the three frame hives and get nucs from them.

[karen]

Cam, You wrote "I do some with poly on the bottom and wood nucs stacked on top."

My wooden nucs are much smaller than the poly nucs, hopefully the picture I posted comes out. Is yours like this? I need to be very careful with the line up or there is a gap. I get my woodenware from Humble Abodes here in Maine. I find each manufacture has a different dimensions.

over_hang.jpg

[cam bishop]

Hi Karen,

Mine are exactly like that - I use Mann Lake woodenware and I have the same problem. It's one of the reasons I have some moisture problems on the bottom of the poly nucs and had to drill holes. I cover them in the winter with a tarp and that handles the moisture problems as well as the wind.

[karen]

Mann Lake nucs are bigger than Humble Abode by about 1/4". I have a few and they always over hang. H A covers do not fit them. It gets frustrating when equipment doesn't match, you've got to paw through a pile to find components that will got together.

I will cover them to protect them from the weather and have drilled holes in the bottom.

Thanks,
Karen

[cam bishop]

I had bad bee space problems with Humble woodenware and switched to Mann Lake and am pretty happy with their products.