Bee Nucleus Colonies
Start your beekeeping journey with healthy, locally-adapted nucleus colonies from Caperton Honey Bees
What is a Bee Nucleus Colony?
A nucleus colony, commonly called a “nuc,” is a small, fully-functioning honey bee colony created from a larger, established colony. Think of it as a “starter hive” that includes:
- A mated, laying queen bee
- Several frames of brood (developing bees) in various stages
- Adult worker bees to care for the brood and forage
- Frames with honey and pollen stores
- All housed in a small, temporary hive box
Unlike package bees, nucs are already functioning as a colony, giving new beekeepers a significant head start in establishing a successful hive.
Why Choose a Nucleus Colony?
Established Colony
Unlike package bees, nucs are already functioning as a cohesive unit with a laying queen that has been accepted by the colony.
Faster Development
With brood already developing and a laying queen, nucs can build up much faster than package bees, often producing honey in their first season.
Local Adaptation
Our nucs contain bees that are already adapted to the Central Florida climate and foraging conditions, increasing their chances of success.
Lower Risk
The queen has already proven her ability to lay eggs and the colony has demonstrated its viability, reducing the risk of early colony failure.
Beginner Friendly
Nucs are ideal for new beekeepers as they're easier to establish and provide a gentler learning curve for hive management.
Easy Transfer
Frames from the nuc transfer directly into your standard Langstroth hive equipment, making the installation process simple and stress-free.
Our Nucleus Colonies
5-Frame Standard Nucleus Colony
Our standard 5-frame nucs are perfect for beginning beekeepers and those looking to expand their apiary with healthy, productive colonies.
Each standard nuc includes:
- 5 standard Langstroth frames (9⅛" × 17⅝")
- A young, locally-mated Italian or Carniolan queen
- At least 3 frames with brood in various stages
- 1-2 frames with honey and pollen stores
- Approximately 10,000-12,000 worker bees
Our Bee Breeds
Italian Honey Bees
Apis mellifera ligustica
- Golden yellow in color with brown bands
- Excellent honey producers
- Gentle temperament, ideal for beginners
- Build up quickly in spring
- Well-adapted to Florida's warm climate
Carniolan Honey Bees
Apis mellifera carnica
- Dark brown to black with light brown bands
- Extremely gentle and calm on the comb
- Excellent foragers even in cooler weather
- Conservative with winter stores
- Excellent comb builders
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment do I need to have ready?
At minimum, you'll need a standard 10-frame Langstroth hive with bottom board, deep hive body, frames with foundation, inner cover, and outer cover. We recommend having a second deep box ready as the colony will grow quickly.
How do I transfer the nuc to my hive?
Simply remove 5 frames from your hive box and transfer the 5 frames from the nuc into your hive in the same order. The bees will already be working as a colony and will quickly adapt to their new home.
Do I need to feed my new nuc?
While nucs come with honey stores, we recommend feeding 1:1 sugar syrup for the first few weeks to help the colony build comb quickly and establish themselves in their new home, especially if nectar flow is limited.
How quickly will my nuc grow?
A healthy nuc can fill a 10-frame deep box within 3-4 weeks during spring. Be prepared to add a second deep box or honey supers as needed to prevent swarming and allow for honey storage.
Will I get honey in the first year?
Unlike package bees, nucs often produce surplus honey in their first season if installed early enough and if weather conditions are favorable. However, focus on colony health first before harvesting honey.
Do you offer delivery?
We currently offer pickup only from our Orlando location. This ensures the bees are handled properly and allows us to provide installation guidance. For special circumstances, please contact us to discuss options.
Client Experiences
Real Stories from Homeowners, Educators & Farmers
I was looking for two bee nucs and found James. Great guy gentle bees and a very reasonable price thank you so so much. Photos 6 hours after transfer.
Brit Aston
Recent Client
James is the best! He helped me get my first hive and has been a wealth of knowledge. Anytime I have a question and ask him, he takes time to respond. He has a box/library of honey (honor system, leave cash in box and take a bottle) in his front yard, I’ve enjoyed it and shared with friends who love it too. very friendly guy, knowledgeable and helpful, would be the first person I’d recommend for removals, honey, or starting a new hive! Thanks James for helping the bees of Orlando!
Cam
Recent Client
We have been working with James for a few years now. We bought our first hive from him and now just bought 2 more. A wealth of information!! Always helpful and quick to answer questions . You just don’t get customer service like this anymore!! Highly recommend and we already have to our friends and family. Pic is of our 2 new nucs we picked up this morning.
Vindy Lopez
Recent Client
Get In Touch
Have questions or ready to work together? Reach out today!
Contact Information
What to Include in Your Request
- Location of the bee hive or swarm
- How long the bees have been present
- Preferred time for a consultation or service