To prepare the deep hive body, you must clear a specific amount of space in the center of the equipment. You should remove six individual frames from the middle of the hive body and set them aside. This creates the physical void necessary to receive the frames from your nucleus (nuc) colony.
Core Takeaway: Safe colony transfer relies on having a "buffer zone." By removing one more frame than the nucleus box contains, you create the necessary clearance to lower the frames without crushing bees or damaging the queen.
The Mechanics of Space Management
Creating the Central Void
You must remove six frames from the center of the deep hive body.
Do not remove frames from the edges of the box.
The goal is to place the nucleus colony directly in the middle of the new hive, where thermal regulation is most efficient.
The Buffer Principle
A standard nucleus box typically contains five frames.
However, removing only five frames from the deep body creates a friction-fit that is too tight for a safe transfer.
You remove the sixth frame to provide lateral maneuvering room for your hands and the equipment.
Why the Extra Space Matters
Preventing Bee Injury
When the fit is too tight, frames slide against each other during insertion.
This friction can cause bees to "roll" between the combs.
Rolling bees often results in injury or death to the workers on the outer face of the comb.
Protecting the Queen
The most critical asset in the transfer is the queen.
If the space is restricted, there is a high risk of crushing her if she is located on an outer frame face.
The extra buffer space ensures she is not compressed against the neighboring frames during the move.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
The Exact-Fit Mistake
A common error is removing only the exact number of frames contained in the nuc (usually five).
This leaves zero margin for error when lowering heavy, bee-covered frames.
It forces the beekeeper to push or slide frames forcefully, which agitates the colony immediately.
Poor Frame Management
Be mindful of where you place the six removed frames.
Keep them clean and accessible near the hive.
Once the transfer is complete, you will likely need to re-insert the sixth frame to fill the remaining gap, so do not discard them or set them far away.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure a seamless transfer, follow these guidelines:
- If your primary focus is colony safety: Remove the full six frames to guarantee maximum clearance and prevent accidental queen mortality.
- If your primary focus is efficiency: Perform this preparation step before bringing the nucleus box to the apiary to minimize the time the hive is open.
By creating a buffer zone, you prioritize the physical integrity of the colony over a tight fit.
Summary Table:
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Create Space | Remove 6 central frames | Provides a buffer zone for safe frame insertion |
| 2. Center the Void | Keep edge frames in place | Ensures optimal thermal regulation for the colony |
| 3. Protect the Queen | Avoid "rolling" bees | Prevents crushing the queen during frame maneuvering |
| 4. Finalize Setup | Re-insert excess frames | Fills the gap after the nuc frames are safely seated |
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