Rookie Questions? Reducer and frames

**BackYardPhenomena** · 08-17-2012, 08:21 PM

I installed my nuc into the hive box on Wednesday evening and placed the entrance reducer in the front. The nuc had a lot of bees so I placed the reducer with the 3-4 inches opening. Today when returning home from work, there seemed to be quite a few bees on the bottom board and on the landing. Wondering what is the best indication to take off the entrance reducer.

Also, the beekeepers I bought the nuc from said to put the 5 frames alone into an empty box and add frames as needed. None of the books or youtube videos say to do this. Any opinions of how I should add the frames, or if I should have followed the original advice in the first place?

Thanks.

**sfisher** · 08-17-2012, 08:47 PM

You can leave the enterence reducer on for a whaile. Dont be in a hurry to get rid of it, it is there to protect your young colony. You want to keep the 5 frames from the nuc together, just like they were in the nuc. It doesnt hurt to add frames on either side of the 5 frames. If you have 10 frame equipment put in 2 frames of foundation, then 5 frames from the nuc, followed by 3 more frames of foundation.

**Keth Comollo** · 08-17-2012, 08:56 PM

That seems odd. Just put all the frames in the box with the nuc so it has 10 frames.

**sfisher** · 08-17-2012, 09:10 PM

How is it odd? Would you put all of your frames of foundation on one side of the box, and then put the 5 frames from the nuc on the other side of the box. Or would you put the 5 frames from the nuc inbetween the frames of foundation?

**Keth Comollo** · 08-17-2012, 09:17 PM

Put the nuc in the middle! That is where the broodnest is centered right? When they fill that box out the broodnest will be in the middle. Don't make the bees work to much moving stuff all over the place.

**sfisher** · 08-17-2012, 09:32 PM

Put the nuc in the middle is what I was trying to say. I think we are talking about the same thing. I hope we didnt confuse you Backyard.

**Keth Comollo** · 08-17-2012, 09:35 PM

The odd part I was referring to was the advice to let 5 frames hang in a box alone and only add frames "when they need it". Ludicrous. Put the nuc in and fill the box with frames. Simple as pie.