Medium frames OK in regular 5 frame Nuc?

[radu43]

Hi All,
I use mediums for my bees. However I would like to try to use Nuc for a weak hive. Is it ok to put medium frames in a regular Nuc? Will the bees mind .

Thank you!

[robherc]

What, medium frames in a deep box? If that's what you mean, then as long as you don't mind a little burr comb across the bottoms of your frames, you should do fine. If that's not what you mean, then please explain further.

[Grant]

Sure, medium frames work in a deep nuc...but not for very long. They'll start drawing the comb in the void below the frames...then you'll have a mess.

Grant
Jackson, MO

[whiskers]

The bees won't mind a bit, you might, cause I'll bet they'll build comb off the bottom of the frames. Why not cut the nuc down to medium height. It'll only take a few minutes if all you have is a hand saw. Even less with power tools. If you save the piece off the bottom you could reattach it later if you need a deep nuc.
Bill

[radu43]

Makes sense to me. thanks!

[Charlie B]

Since you use all mediums and you'll probably want to do more splits, you could cut down your nuc to 6 5/8's.

[naturaledge]

or put something in the bottom that would take up the extra space that could be taken out if you need a deep nuc

[naturaledge]

Or you could put something in the bottom to take up the extra space that could be rmoved if you want a deep nuc back

[waynesgarden]

I've put medium frames in deeps lots of times. The bees build comb down exactly as they do within with my foundationless frames or as they did the few times I used only top bars in a Lang. Sometimes they build a little off-center but usually they do a pretty good job.

I wouldn't put these frames in an extractor but if I later needed the frames for supers, it's really easy to cut the comb off with a knife.

Wayne

[xcugat]

Another option is just to buy a medium nuc box--Brushy Mt carries them and I am sure some other suppliers must have them

[Mtn. Bee]

2 blocks of wood and a piece of plywood would shim the bottom up to a med depth (cheap temporary fix), I use top entrances.
waynesgarden hit the nail on the head, as I have done the same, med frames left and forgotten in a deep and I ended up with beautiful drawn out deep frames and I am still using them in a deep 3 yrs later!

[David LaFerney]

I have a hive like that right now. It's not a problem. They might build some comb on the bottom - but it probably won't be a problem unless the hive is really crowded or you leave it like that for a long time.