A nucleus hive, or nuc, is a smaller hive box that has a number of uses. We will answer the questions around how long bees can stay in a nuc and take a look at the dimensions and dynamics of nuc hives.
When you hear beekeepers talking about a nuc, it sounds almost like they are discussing weapons of mass destruction. It is really just short for nucleus, or small beehive.
If you look at a nuc box, you can basically just take a normal beehive, and make it smaller to fit 5 frames. Everything else stays the same. The nuc box is a deep supa, but the size for 5 frames.
My experience here is that bees actually thrive in nuc boxes. There is less brood-rearing space, and the nuc box may occasionally throw out a little swarm if you don’t give it more space
My general rule with a nuc box is visit it at night. If there is a beard of bees halfway up the front of the nuc box, you can safely move this to a deep brood box.
I will always choose a nuc over a package given my personal philosophies on genetic diversity, and localizing genetics. A package is a quick easy way to start a hive.
There are a lot of ways to make a 5 frame nuc, and I have actually run a sawmill and factory making these for 10 years of my life. I know what not to do.
The duration a swarm can stay in a nuc box will probably depend on where you are in the world. I doubt a nuc box will overwinter well in a very cold climate, but in any temperate area, nucs thrive.