5 Frame Nucleus Hive / Nuc Box - Timber, Flat Pack (Unassembled)

5 frame Langstroth nucleus hive made from New Zealand pine — a permanent timber nuc box for splits, swarm catching, queen mating or as a backup hive. Ships flat-pack with dovetail joints, pre-assembled galvanised migratory lid and pre-assembled base. Fits 5 standard full-depth Langstroth frames (frames not included).

What's included

• 1 × 5-frame nuc box (NZ pine, dovetail joints, unassembled)
• 1 × pre-assembled galvanised migratory lid
• 1 × pre-assembled standard bottom board
• Nails, screws and glue NOT included — combo pack available separately

When to use a 5-frame nuc

• Splitting a strong hive — move the queen and 4-5 frames of brood into the nuc, let the parent raise a new queen
• Catching swarms — small footprint makes it easy to place in known swarm spots
• Selling nucs — pass on to new beekeepers with 5 frames of established colony
• Queen mating — small colony works well for queen introduction and mating flight monitoring
• Backup hive — spare capacity for when a hive fails or you need to split unexpectedly

Timber vs corflute nuc — which is right?

• Timber (this box) — permanent, painted, will last many seasons in a fixed apiary. Better for keeping nucs as year-round resource colonies or as sales stock.
• Corflute folding nuc — lightweight, cheap, foldable. Better for temporary use or bulk swarm-catching where you may not recover every unit.

Specifications

• Fits 5 standard full-depth Langstroth frames
• Assembled dimensions: 506mm (L) × 230mm (W)
• NZ pine timber, dovetail joints
• Ships flat-pack (unassembled box, pre-assembled lid and base)
• Frames NOT included

How to assemble

Glue and screw the pre-cut dovetail joints on the box, clamp, cure overnight. The galvanised lid and bottom board are pre-assembled. Once the box is assembled, apply two coats of exterior paint before putting bees in — external house paint from any hardware store will work. Lighter colours help keep the hive cool in the Australian summer.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to complete a nuc? 5 full-depth Langstroth frames with foundation, plus bees (a swarm, split, or purchased nuc). See full-depth frames and full-depth foundation.

Are nails or glue included? No — wood glue, screws and nails combo pack available separately.

How is this different from the corflute folding nuc? Timber is permanent and long-lasting; corflute is cheaper and foldable but degrades in 2-5 seasons. Timber for keepers, corflute for temporary or bulk use.

Can I use this year-round as a mini-hive? Yes — a strong 5-frame colony can overwinter in a nuc box provided you monitor stores. Some beekeepers keep permanent nucs as resource colonies for queen mating and split raising.

Related products

Browse the full nuc hives range including the corflute folding nuc. Pair with full-depth frames and full-depth foundation.