Assemble boxes with glue and nails, paint only the exterior, and give paint at least a week to cure and off-gas before bees go in. March is the right month for this work in the northern plains — late enough that you can work in a heated garage without it feeling premature, early enough that nothing is rushed.
Do I need to glue the boxes?
Yes. Nails or staples alone will loosen after a few seasons of being pried apart, stacked, and rained on. Waterproof wood glue in the box joints roughly doubles the working life of the equipment for about a dollar per box.
Square the box before the glue sets. A box assembled out of square never quite sits right again, and you'll fight it every inspection for years.
What should I paint, and what shouldn't I?
Paint the outside of boxes, covers, and bottom boards. Do not paint the inside, the frames, or the frame rests. Bees coat interior surfaces with propolis themselves, and interior paint just gets chewed and removed.
Two coats of exterior latex primer and paint is plenty. Colour is your choice — lighter colours run cooler in July, but on the northern plains that matters less than it does in Texas.
How long does paint need to cure?
Longer than the can says. "Dry to touch" is not the same as cured. Give exterior latex at least seven days in a heated space with airflow before bees occupy the box.
If you can still smell the paint with your head in the box, it isn't ready.
What about frames and foundation?
Assemble frames with glue and nails as well — two into each end bar top and bottom. Frames take far more time than people budget for; ten frames per box, ten boxes, and suddenly it's an evening's work.
If you're using plastic foundation, check that it's waxed. Bees draw waxed foundation noticeably faster, and in a short season that speed is worth something. An extra coat of melted beeswax rolled on is a cheap upgrade.
Should I build or buy?
Buy assembled if your time is worth more than the difference, or if you don't have the tools to work accurately. Beekeeping equipment depends on precise bee space — a box that's a quarter inch off gets filled with burr comb, and you'll fight it forever.
If you enjoy the shop work, unassembled is genuinely cheaper and there's nothing hard about it.
What's the deadline?
Have everything assembled, painted, cured, and standing in the yard two weeks before your pickup date. Pickup day should involve nothing but driving.
Questions about any of this? Call or text us at (701) 809-0153. We're always happy to help, even if you didn't get your bees from us.