Set the nuc on the ground next to the hive (or another stand) and apply a few puffs of smoke into the vents of the opening of the nuc tote.
Prepare your existing hive body (either an 8 or 10 frame box) by placing it above the bottom board on a hive stand in the permanent location. Remove the contents (frames and feeder) of your box and set them aside so there will be ample room to install the five frames of the nuc.
Gently raise the top of the nuc tote a few inches and add another puff of smoke under the lid and let it back down and sit for 10-15 seconds. This keep the alarm pheromones in check.
Remove the lid of the tote and set it aside, there will likely be bees clinging to the underside of the lid, so face it upside down so the bees stay in the lid (like a bowl) instead of dumping them on the ground.
Remove the frames one-by-one and place them in the center area of your hive body, keeping them in the same order and direction. Being careful to avoid smashing any bees, especially the queen, that may be on the end parts of the frames, gently push each one against the next as you are placing them in the hive.
If there are still bees in the lid of the nuc tote, hold it over the frames just installed facing down and give it good brisk shake to dislodge the bees. They should join the others without issue. If a few remain, shake again or simply leave the lid on the ground next to the hive, they will figure it out soon enough. With all five frames into the new hive, the remaining Empty Space should be filled completely with frames and a feeder.
This is a good time to fill the feeder if you have syrup ready. If not, add it later and continue to feed them about once every week to ten days, as long as they continue to take the syrup. They will begin to
... (see attached photos and video below for details)
