10 Frame to Nuc

[Sundance]

I have some older 10 frame deeps I am turning into side by side 5 frame Nucs.

My plan is to put a screw on bottom and 1" hole for entrance on opposite ends.

Question:

I have seen canvas coverings stapled to the divider boards in pics and was wondering if they are a good idea when checking them out??

[peggjam]

Bruce

I made 10 of these boxes last year, without the canvas coverings, while they worked ok, I wish I had added them last year. Instead of using a solid bottom, I put on screen, and then boards with grooves so I could provide better ventilation. It also insures that the bees are sealed in each compartment.

[Sundance]

Sounds good.... I thought the bees might chew up the canvas.

I will probably add another 1" screened hole on the opposite side for venting.

[peggjam]

My coverings were actually made of regular cloth. My wife had a box given to her, so we used that. Works fine, and it's cheap. I also use one cover for both sides. It works. I also put in 3 3/4" screened vent holes on each end above the handle.

[Sundance]

Thanks PJ, appreciated.

[Michael Bush]

I haven't had any trouble with them chewing the canvas. Seperate 1/4" luan covers would work just as well as the canvas, but the canvas is cheaper. You just have to have something so the bees from one side don't boil over into the other side while you're working them.

[Sundance]

PJ....... I took your advise and went with 1/8 mesh for the bottoms as I have several single and double bottom boards I don't use.

[Ross]

My advice, rip them into two boxes and screw on the new sides, making independent 5 frame nucs. Don't screw on the bottom. Reasons --
1) screw on bottom makes it hard to combine with an existing hive.
2) double nuc makes it hard to combine or to dump the bees from a single side into a hive.

Been there, done that.

[Sundance]

Guess I haven't dumped bees from the Nuc as of yet. I just transfer the frames and leave the box with the few straglers on the ground in front.

I can see the advantage to seperates and I may do that when time and materials permits. I have to have these done ASAP.

[peggjam]

Ross

Never had any problems transfering nucs out of doubles. Have had minor problems with these getting robbed out. All in all, I like the doubles, better after I put on the cloth inner covers.

[iddee]

>>> I just transfer the frames and leave the box with the few straglers on the ground in front.<<<

That works if you go back in an hour and check it. Many times the queen will still be in the nuc.

[Sundance]

I'll keep my eyes peeled iddee.

[peggjam]

When I transfer a nuc, I always look for the queen and make sure she's on a frame inserted into their new home. Thats the first thing I do.