Hi Jeff

You didn't say what size Nuc (number of frames) or how strong they are 
supposed to be.  If the bees are on 4 or more frames, I would place them 
outside (in the spots you intend to keep them) early on a day you're 
relatively sure will hit 45-50, but leave them in the Nuc box if 
possible.  Raise them off the ground, even slightly , on 2X4s, hive 
stands or pallets and wrap with building felt. If the box is just 
regular cardboard (not waxed and therefore not likely to stand up to 
rain and melt very long), then transfer them during the "heat of the 
day" to a regular super.  Cut a piece of 1" blue or pink styrofoam (you 
want the dense stuff) slightly larger than a frame (you want it to be 
tight to the inside ends of your super and go all the way to the bottom 
board and above the frames to the lid) . Use this to replace a frame and 
hold the bees on the frames which you received in the Nuc.  This divider 
doesn't have to be bee tight and you can put one on either side of the 
cluster if you like.  If you have enough, cut one piece to fit over the 
whole super (16 1/2" X 20" or whatever "your" equipment measures) under 
the lid.  At this time of year run them "hot/crowded", which I find is 
very hard for a most beekeepers.  They've had "space" pounded into them.

Also at this time of year we shovel the snow away a few feet around the 
hives to take advantage of day time heating.  I know some people with 
just a few hives at home will slide wraps on at night and off in the 
morning.  The foil bubble wrap insulation works well for that.

Dave Tharle
Ardmore, AB
Canada

On 4/10/2012 5:44 PM, Jeff Carter wrote:
> Tough Question:  I'm picking up my Carniolan Nucs this Saturday in Spokane and bringing them to their new hives on Hebgen Lake by West Yellowstone, Montana. At nearly 7000 elevation, we're still buried in snow, and the temperature now swings between teens and the 50's.  Should I keep my bees in my garage until the dandelions pop up, or place them outside to endure the huge swing in temperature.  Either way, I'll feed them sugar syrup and pollen patties.
>
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