Caucasian Bee 3-Frame Nucleus Colony (Nuc) – Available Late May through July 2025

NOTICE: This is a 3-frame nuc, not the standard 5! This gives you an inexpensive option to increase your colony count with a quality laying queen!

Our preferred and recommended choice for beekeepers of all experience levels, the Caucasian bee nuc is renowned for its gentle nature, cold hardiness, and exceptional foraging abilities. This carefully raised nucleus colony is the perfect foundation for a thriving hive, featuring three frames of healthy brood, honey, and pollen, along with a proven laying Caucasian queen. The queen is open-mated, ensuring a healthy balance of traits within the colony.

Why Choose Caucasian Bees?

Caucasian bees are our top recommendation for their calm temperament, making them ideal for beginners or those working in close proximity to their hives. Known for their long proboscis, these bees excel at foraging from hard-to-reach nectar sources. In addition to their excellent foraging skills, Caucasian bees are cold hardy and will continue to fly and forage in weather conditions that often keep other bees inside. Their slow, steady growth results in strong colonies with low swarming tendencies, making them a solid, reliable choice for your apiary.

What’s Included in Your Nuc:

• 3 frames of brood, honey, and pollen
• A mated Caucasian queen, already laying
• A strong, established colony ready for expansion
• 2 frames of undrawn comb
• A durable, painted pine nuc box (included in the price)

Benefits of Caucasian Bees:

✅ Cold Hardy & Active in Cooler Weather – Thrive in cooler climates and continue to forage when other bees stay inside.
✅ Gentle Disposition – Easier to handle with fewer aggressive tendencies.
✅ Low Swarming Tendencies – Ideal for steady, controlled hive growth.
✅ Exceptional Foragers – Gather nectar from sources other bees can't reach.
✅ Propolis Masters – Their strong propolis production adds extra hive protection.

Durable Pine Nuc Box – Included!

Every 3-frame nuc comes in a painted pine nuc box, designed for durability and reusability. Unlike standard cardboard transport boxes, this sturdy wooden box:
✔ Provides better protection during handling and transport
✔ Can be reused for splits, swarm catching, or temporary housing
✔ Holds up well for longer-term use if needed

To maintain longevity, we recommend keeping the pine nuc box off the ground on a stand to help prevent moisture issues.

Getting Started with Your 3-Frame Nuc

Starting with a 3-frame nuc is a great way to expand your apiary, but there are a few key considerations to ensure a smooth transition for your bees. From proper hive setup to managing their expansion, it’s important to give your colony the best possible start.

For a full guide on what to expect and how to set up your new bees, check out our blog post:
➡️ 3-Frame Nucs: The Affordable Beekeeping Solution for Growing Colonies

Availability & Pickup

3-frame nucs are produced and made available on a rolling basis from late May through July, depending on weather conditions and colony development. At this time, new orders are expected to be available in June. As production continues, some nucs may become available sooner, while others may take longer based on colony progress. Once your nuc is ready, we’ll contact you to arrange pickup.

Nucs are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is limited—so be sure to reserve yours early!