Practical Guide: 1.4.4 Brood Nucleus Colony

The brood nucleus colony is an established beekeeping method for creating new colonies based on brood combs from existing colonies. It serves colony multiplication, swarm prevention, and can contribute to reducing varroa pressure. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.4.4 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.

Official Practical Guide – Summary

Practical Guide: 1.4.4 Brood Nucleus Colony

• Principle: A brood nucleus colony is formed from brood combs with adhering bees and develops into an independent colony.
• Objectives:
  • Increase of colony numbers.
  • Relief of strong colonies and swarm prevention.
  • Interruption of the brood cycle in the parent colony.
• Prerequisites:
  • Sufficiently strong and healthy source colonies.
  • Provision of a queen or possibility for queen rearing.
  • Ensuring adequate feed supply.
• Procedure:
  • Remove suitable brood combs with adhering bees.
  • Supplement with feed and empty combs.
  • Install and manage according to the practical guide.
• Note:
  • The brood nucleus colony requires regular inspection and careful follow-up management.

► PDF of the official practical guide (DE)
If the link is no longer active: ► Official overview of practical guides (bienen.ch)

Summary based on Practical Guide 1.4.4. Last review: 01/2026.

Learn more:

• Formation of nucleus colonies (nuclei)
• Dividing colonies
• Renewing colonies and queens
• Practical Guide: 1.4.7 Colony division during swarming mood
• Practical Guide: 4.7.4 Management of queenless colonies