Adding frames of brood and bees

[rayb]

When adding a frame of brood to build up a nuc or weaker hive, can I add that frame with the bees clinging to it or do I shake them off first ? Will there be a conflict between these new bees and the already established bees and queen?

Thanks, Ray

[rdy-b]

the bees clinging to the frame are nurse bees you need them.most of the time there is no conflict with young nurse bees- field bees will be a different story RDY-B

[Understudy]

Shake the bees off. If not you can have a conflict.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Dr/B]

As long as you are sure that you don't have the queen, you can add frame/bees and all.  If you add the bees, frame and all, just mist the bees with sugar water spray just prior to adding them..........or if you think the queen may bee on the frame.........shake off bees, add brood to nuc....................then next day .......at mid-day.......swap positions of the nuc with a stronger hive...........this way the large majority of field bees out foraging will return into the nuc, and your nuc will grow stronger........... :-D

[pdmattox]

In my opinion it would be best to find a frame with almost all capped frood and shake the bees off and use that one to build up with.

[rdy-b]

at any rate you need nurse bees in your nuc or your field force (which you need to bring in resources) will have to do it. you will  lose field strength also many field bees are to old to tend open brood.they cant make bee milk any more. nuc needs to come online balanced or it is not at full potental.nuc builds from inside out -not outside in  ;) RDY-B

[Brian D. Bray]

You need nurse bees to cover the surface of the brood comb you are placing into the hive.  If you have enough bees to do that (midday) then shaking the bees is ok.  With bees on brood frames you can usually insert the frames and nurse bees both into the hive without undue problems.  Just put the chosen frame on the edge of the existing brood chamber area.