Rainbow mini

[prakel]

Bought a couple of these recently, looking forward to trying them out. Have tried mini nucs a couple of times in the past without much luck, but think I know where I went wrong - looking forward to having another go this year

I hope that they work well for you. I was happy enough with last year's results to add an extra nine through the winter.

[tonel]

Had a go at setting up the mini nucs - painted melted wax onto the starter strips, filled feeders (one with syrup, one with dry sugar dampened with water spray), added bees and kept closed up for 3 days. Had a look today but no wax drawn at all in either of them which was a bit disappointing! Am wondering if they need to have a queen or queen cell in there before they start drawing any comb? Had some cells ready to distribute today so made up some more mini nucs (this time with fondant) and added the cells, will keep them closed up for 3 days before setting out and hope for the best!

[Jon]

With a mini nuc I put in the virgin first through the floor then tip a scoop of wet bees on top of her. I open up on the evening of the second day.
If you are using queen cells make sure to keep closed until the queen has emerged from the cell.

[Greengage]

Exasperated............. First Apidea bees absconded, Second Queen hatched and F@@xxit she has now gone too, Maybe the thunder frightened her and the eggs that were there are gone too, this is not easy.
Any back to the drawing board again I have eggs hatched today in a cup kit and one queenless colony now off to transfer eggs on to frame and place in queenless hive, lets see how this goes.

[tonel]

Yep, they seem a bit tricky! Putting a couple out and opening this evening - daft question but does it need to be getting dark before opening them up? Worried that they might all abscond if too early (getting dark quite late now). Hoping they have drawn some comb this time..heard some quacking noises from one of the nucs so hoping at least one of the queens is okay.

[madasafish]

I have a couple of Rainbows. I insert QCs immediately after the bees. Spray twice a day with water through the underneath. And leave in cool dark garage for 3 days.. and set them out at c7.30pm. I open them when it is dark - about 9.30pm.The gap gives them a period to rest after the stress of moving and being bungeed in place (I use bungee cords to wrap round post and a wooden top and bottom (flat boards to hold them on a post and protect form the sun.),

None absconded so far..

(I do the same with all mini nucs - Kielers, Mann Lake and Apidea, and home made of course)


I have modified my Rainbows to front entrance and blocked up the bottom entrance. I use cork to bridge the hole in the front two walls to prevent bees escaping into the cavity .IMG_0380.JPGIMG_0379.JPG

[Greengage]

Ok Stage 1 part 4 Action.
This time transferred eggs from cup kit onto frame added to queenless hive now lets see how this goes.