When can you buy bee nucs?

The best time to order bee nucs is late Winter or very early Spring. This is when bee suppliers begin to take orders. There are many more bee packages available for sale than nucs.

How much does a nuc of bees cost?

A nuc will cost from $100-$150 depending on the seller’s asking price. As with a package, orders are usually placed early in the year and the buyer is given a date when bees can be picked up.

How much does a beehive cost NZ?

Hive prices For a single hive with Spring 2021 Queen, $449.95+GST, For a single hive with over-wintered Autumn 2021 Queen $499.95+GST, The bee hives are available in Spring 2020, usually from mid September to early October onwards.

How long can bees stay in a nuc?

Bees can stay in a standard five-frame nuc typically between two to three weeks before filling it up. If the nucleus is made out of cardboard, is closed-off, and the weather temperature is high, they shouldn’t stay in there for more than a few hours, as they can die from the heat.

Are nucs better than packages?

Package Bees are more economical, less prone to spread pests or diseases (because no honeycomb is involved), and are more readily available. They are slower to build up a working population and have to go through the queen acceptance procedure. Nucs – Nuc colonies are more expensive than packages of bees.

Is beekeeping an expensive hobby?

Can you afford it? Getting started with beekeeping can be an expensive hobby often costing around $300 for the hive and around another $100 for bees during the first year (depending if you purchase a nuc or a package). Most folks recommend starting out with two hives for a variety of important reasons.

How do I start beekeeping NZ?

The best way to get started in beekeeping is by going along to your local beekeeping club, as many have operating beehives to visit on field days, or may run beekeeping courses. A list of clubs around the country affiliated with Apiculture New Zealand can be found.

Are leaf cutter bees native to NZ?

In the early 2000s there were 13 introduced species of bee in New Zealand. These included honeybees, alkalia bees, leafcutter bees, osmia bees and bumblebees.

Do bees recognize keeper?

Bees DO NOT recognize their beekeepers! Beekeepers are naturally calmer and more careful around bees, so bees just leave them alone.

Do nucs come with Queens?

The box in which the frames are transported is often just a cardboard box, though purpose-built wooden nucs are common and more robust. Although technically not a requirement, most nucs come with a queen. The nuc has workers and drones usually born from the queen herself.

How much do Bee nucs cost NZ?

Most of the bee nucs for sale NZ can cost you between $199 and $275. Quality of the equipment in which the nucs are delivered, and overall healthiness of the colony. The bee nuc price may also factor in costs of posting the nuc to your address.

How much does a NUC cost?

Each nuc (nucleus colony) contains: • Provided ready for pickup in a Hive Doctor bee nuc box. For overwintered nucs with Autumn 2022 queen bee, available in Spring 2022 (mid September to early October) $299.95+GST. Make Contact if you have any questions or for commercial volumes make Contact for pricing.

How many bees in a nuc box?

Ideally, a nucleus consists of 5 frames of the standard Langstroth hive with approximately 10,000 to 12,000 bees. Two of these frames would have bee brood. When you are taking out brood frames from a healthy colony then you will transfer it to the nuc box along with all the bees clinging to it.

Where do you get your nucs?

Nucs (nucleus colonies) and live bees are supplied from Auckland to customers through-out New Zealand. We find customers can have different purposes and requirements for their colonies, so we are always able to work with you to customise what you would like – just ask.