Why the Paynes Nuc is perfect for transporting nucleus colonies

GUEST BLOG: Written by Laurence Edwards, owner of Black Mountain Honey, for Simon The Beekeeper

At Black Mountain Honey, we send out thousands of overwintered nucleus colonies each year across the UK. With this level of scale, choosing the right nuc box for transport isn’t just important — it’s critical. That’s why, year after year, we continue to use the Paynes Poly Nuc.

From ventilation and security to sustainability and customer flexibility, the Paynes Poly Nuc offers the complete package. Here’s exactly why we believe it’s the best-in-class solution for transporting live bees — and why we’ll continue working with Simon The Beekeeper to make it even better.

Superior ventilation — exactly where it’s needed

One of the standout features of the Paynes Poly Nuc is its clever ventilation system. Unlike other designs that compromise internal conditions by placing ventilation in the wrong places, the Paynes system gets it right — with ventilation ports positioned optimally for maintaining airflow without disturbing the cluster.

This means our nucs for sale stay cool and calm in transit, reducing stress on the bees and increasing the chances of a smooth introduction once they arrive in the apiary.

Check out our available nucleus colonies to learn more about how we manage transport for successful setups:

Buy honey bees from Black Mountain Honey

Flexible design with the feeder included

The fact that we can include the feeder within the shipment adds a whole extra layer of value for our customers. You’re not just receiving a colony in a temporary container — you’re getting a reusable piece of kit that can be used in your apiary going forward.

Whether you’re a new beekeeper or an experienced hand, having the feeder included makes feeding your bees after installation easy and seamless. It removes any rush to rehome the colony and gives you extra time to get everything right.

Built tough with dense poly

Another major reason we favour the Paynes Nuc is its dense, high-quality poly construction. These boxes are exceptionally well insulated and offer superior protection from the elements and bumps in transit. That’s essential when sending bees hundreds of miles.

The poly is rigid enough to withstand rough handling, but still light enough for us and our couriers to manage easily. Our bees arrive healthy and happy because they’re shipped in something built to last — not a cheap throwaway alternative.

Secure fixings — no leaky bees

When we send our nucleus colonies, security is absolutely paramount. The last thing anyone wants is bees escaping in transit. The Paynes Nuc allows us to screw down and seal the entire unit, giving us total confidence in transport.

We’ve tested a range of systems over the years, and this one gives us peace of mind that both the queen and colony are safe, contained, and stress-free. The entrances are secure, the lid is tight, and there’s no risk of unwanted movement during shipping.

Sustainable and reusable — no single-use plastics

At Black Mountain Honey, we’re committed to reducing waste and moving away from single-use plastics. That’s another reason the Paynes Poly Nuc is a perfect fit for us — it’s reusable and lasts for decades of use!

Instead of sending bees out in one-use correx boxes that get binned, our customers receive a nuc box they can re-use year after year. That’s better for the bees, better for the customer — and better for the planet.

It’s just one of the many small changes we’ve made to make our beekeeping business more sustainable.

Working with Simon The Beekeeper to improve even further

Our partnership with Simon The Beekeeper is more than just product supply. Over the past few months, I’ve been working closely with Harry and the team to refine and improve the Paynes Nuc based on real-world feedback from the thousands of colonies we send out each year.

Together, we’re looking at new innovations. This type of feedback loop between beekeeper and supplier is what leads to the kind of gear that really works in practice — not just on paper.

I’m proud to be part of that journey, and I can confidently say that our nucleus colonies arrive stronger, healthier, and more secure because of the Paynes Nuc — and the partnership behind it.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first nucleus colony or a seasoned beekeeper looking for reliable equipment, the Paynes Poly Nuc ticks every box. At Black Mountain Honey, we rely on it because it keeps our bees safe, secure, and stress-free — and because it delivers long-term value to our customers.

If you want to see how we use the Paynes Nuc in action or learn more about our approach to raising calm, productive colonies, visit: 👉 www.blackmountainhoney.co.uk