A nuc (short for nucleus colony) is a small, fully functioning honey bee family that gives new and experienced beekeepers a powerful head start. Each nuc includes a proven, mated queen, several frames of brood (eggs, larvae, and capped cells), worker bees, and stored honey or pollen.
Unlike package bees, a nuc is already drawn out on frames and actively raising young — so it establishes faster, builds up stronger, and often produces a honey crop in its very first season.
Whether you’re starting your first hive or expanding an existing apiary, our locally raised nucs are inspected, healthy, and ready to thrive in your area.
What’s inside a standard nuc:
4–5 deep or medium frames
A marked, mated queen (usually 1–2 years old)
3+ frames of brood in all stages
1–2 frames of honey and pollen
Thousands of young, healthy worker bees
Benefits of starting with a nuc:
Fewer losses than package bees
Faster colony build-up
Reduced need for immediate feeding
Higher chance of winter survival
Browse our available nucs below and choose pickup or delivery options.
