New Beekeeper Checklist: Preparing for Honey Bees, Installing Bees in a Hive & Essential Equipment
What To Do Before Your Bees Arrive
Preparing in advance will make installation quick and stress-free.
1. Make Sure You Have Feed Ready
Early feeding helps your colony settle and quickly draw new comb.
You will need:
A high quality bee syrup, such as
- Apiinvert Bag in a Box Bee Syrup by Sudzucker with its convenient 'bag in a box' format that makes it easy to lift and pour,
- Apiinvert 14kg Ready to Use Syrup Bucket with its built-in feeder in the lid, where you simply peel off the label, turn the bucket onto its lid and you're done!
A suitable hive feeder, which is compatible with the size of your hive. Click here for our recommended feeders. Feeders come in many varieties of shapes and formats, but we recommend using a top-feeder when starting out as it allows you to monitor and top-up the feed without disturbing the colony.
2. Ensure Your Hive Is Fully Prepared
Your hive should be completely built and ready for bees before they arrive.
This means:
- Hive fully assembled (painting is optional but recommended for the longevity of wooden or poly hives)
- Frames built - You should have at least enough deep/brood frames constructed to backfill the brood box.
- Foundation installed or plastic frames waxed
- Hive placed on a stable stand in its final location
If you still need equipment we recommend the following hive bundles, which are durable and widely used by professional beekeepers.
Langstroth Hive - Anel Complete Bundle with Frames and Feeder
National Hive - Swienty Poly Hive Bundle with Frames
What To Do ON COLLECTION/DELIVERY DAY
1. Transporting Bees
If you are collecting your bees from us, you should arrive on the specified collection day where your bees will been packaged into a transport nuc for transporting to their new home.
- Place the transport nuc on the base of your car boot, and use straps to secure the box in place. The transport nuc has ventilation on most sides and so you should not use blankets or other items to secure the nuc in place.
- Adjust your aircon to a comfortable temperature, but do not allow it to blow directly onto the nuc.
- Do not attempt to open the nuc box before you are ready to transfer the bees.
- You do not need to wear a bee suit when driving. If you have any loose bees in your car, open your car windows and allow them to fly out.
2. Accepting Delivery
If your bees are being shipped to you they will arrive with Royal Mail. You must be at home to accept delivery. Please remember that these are live animals, and they will not be left in a safe place or delivered to a neighbour. You should receive tracking information when your bees are shipped out to you which will help to determine when to expect delivery.
3. Transferring your Colony into its Full Hive
Transfer Bees The Same Day
Your bees should be installed into their hive on the same day they arrive.
Step 1 – Place the Nuc on the Hive Stand
Place the nuc box on your hive stand with **the entrance facing the same direction as your hive entrance**.
Step 2 – Allow Bees to Orientate
Open the nuc entrance and allow the bees to orientate and fly for around one hour.
(This step is optional but helps the bees settle.)
Step 3 – Light Your Smoker
Before opening the nuc box, make sure your smoker is lit and producing cool, steady smoke and you are suited up with gloves.
When you open the nuc, give a few gentle puffs of smoke over the tops of the
frames. This encourages the bees to move down between the frames and helps
keep the colony calm while you transfer them.
Only a small amount of smoke is required.
Step 4 – Transfer the Frames
Carefully transfer the nuc frames one by one into the centre of your hive, keeping them in the same order and orientation.
Step 5 – Add New Frames
Fill the remaining space with new frames with foundation or freshly waxed plastic
frames
Step 6 – Feed the Colony
Place the crown board and feeder on the hive and fill with Apiinvert syrup.
Feeding helps the bees:
• Settle quickly
• Draw new comb
• Expand the brood nest
Step 7 – Leave the Colony Undisturbed
Close the hive and leave the colony completely undisturbed for 7 days.
# 5 Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
1. Don’t delay installing the bees – transfer them the day they arrive.
2. Keep the frames in the same order they were in the nuc.
3. Place nuc frames in the centre of the hive with new frames either side.
4. Feed immediately to help the bees draw new comb.
5. Don’t inspect too soon– leave the hive closed for the first 7 days.
First Inspection
Day 7
After one week:
• Inspect the colony
• Confirm the queen is laying
• Top up the feeder with more Apiinvert syrup
You may also consider adding your first super if the colony is building strongly.
Your Queen
Your colony includes a 2025-born queen, which will be marked blue.
Bees naturally groom the queen and over time this paint can wear off.
If needed, you can remark her later using:
Taking pre-orders for New Season National and Langstroth Nucs
