Nucs vs. Packages: Why Nucs are a Better Value for Southern California Beekeepers -
When deciding how to start or expand your apiary, understanding the differences between nucs (nucleus colonies) and packages of bees is critical. Here’s why a nuc is the better choice, particularly for Southern California beekeepers.
First, Understand Bee Populations:
Bees are counted by frames. One frame of bees is a deep brood frame covered in bees on both sides. That is considered one frame of bees.
1. Population Advantage
Nuc: Comes with 5 frames of bees, including 3 brood frames (eggs, larvae, and capped brood) and 1-2 frames of food stores (honey and pollen). All frames are covered with bees, and the colony includes a laying, mated, proven queen. This effectively doubles the bee population of a package due to the inclusion of brood and comes with the significant advantage of 5 frames of pulled comb.
Package: Contains 3 pounds of bees (approximately 2.5 frames of bees), no brood, no food stores, no pulled comb, and no accepted queen. It’s akin to going camping naked without any resources.
Why it Matters: A nuc’s established population ensures faster growth. While a package starts with only adult bees that must build comb and raise the next generation, a nuc has multiple generations in progress, allowing it to double in size within a month.
2. Faster Growth and Productivity
Nuc: With 3 frames of brood and a laying queen, a nuc can grow to fill a 10-frame hive within a month. This head start enables the colony to gather resources quickly and even produce surplus honey in the first year.
Package: Bees in a package must first build comb before the queen can lay eggs. Without brood, it may take an entire season to develop a population strong enough to produce honey.
Why it Matters: A nuc’s head start allows Southern California beekeepers to capitalize on the long nectar flow season. Most package buyers end up purchasing two packages before successfully establishing a hive.
3. Established Queen
Nuc: Comes with a laying queen already accepted by the colony. This ensures cohesion and steady growth.
Package: Includes a caged queen that worker bees must accept. There’s a significant risk of queen rejection, which can delay colony development or even result in failure. Local bee clubs have seen high rates of queen rejection in packages, leading to frequent replacements within the first month and countless replacements by summertime.
Why it Matters: In Southern California, where nectar flows start early, an established queen guarantees a stronger start.
4. Brood and Food Stores
Nuc: Includes 3 frames of brood at different stages (eggs, larvae, and capped brood) and 2 frames of honey and pollen. These resources give the colony a self-sufficient jumpstart.
Package: Lacks brood and food stores, requiring supplemental feeding and comb building before the colony can sustain itself.
Why it Matters: The brood in a nuc ensures rapid population growth, while the food stores reduce the need for supplemental feeding. In Southern California’s hot climate, colonies without adequate resources can struggle to survive.
5. Higher Success Rate
Nuc: Due to their advanced development, nucs have a much higher success rate in establishing strong colonies (90%).
Package: The lack of brood, food, and an established queen makes packages more susceptible to failure (40%), especially in challenging environmental conditions.
Why it Matters: Beekeepers investing in a nuc are more likely to see their colony thrive, reducing the need for costly interventions or replacements. Remember, two packages can’t match the productivity of one nuc in terms of bees and honey.
6. The Value Proposition
​
For beekeepers looking to maximize their investment, a nuc offers a significantly higher return in terms of bees and honey production. Refer to the chart below:
7. Better for Southern California’s Environment
Nuc: Well-built, trusted-sourced nucs are better adapted to Southern California’s
climate and foraging conditions.
Package: Bees from packages may not be as well-suited to the local environment,
potentially leading to higher stress and mortality rates.
Why it Matters: Higher success rates = better beekeepers
Cost Comparison: Why the Higher Price is Worth It
Nuc: $400 for a ready-to-grow, productive colony.
Package: $200 for a smaller, less established group of bees with slower growth potential and a higher failure rate.
Especially when local clubs import bees not adapted to Southern California’s summer climate, nucs become the clear choice. While nucs cost more upfront, their higher success rate, faster growth, quadruple the bees compared to a package, and potential for honey production make them a much better investment for Southern California beekeepers.
Conclusion: Why Buy a Nuc?
For Southern California beekeepers, a nuc provides:
• A stronger start with up to 4x the bee population.
• Faster growth and earlier productivity.
• An established queen, brood, and food stores.
• Higher success rates and potential for a first-year honey harvest.
• Less expensive per frames of bees.
​
Investing in a nuc saves time, effort, and resources while significantly increasing the chances of success and productivity. For any beekeeper serious about a thriving colony, a nuc is the clear choice. Leave the package at the club and become a real beekeeper!
