How to Put a Hive Box Together

When the box arrives from a bee catalog company, the idea of constructing it can be a bit daunting. However, with a little patience and a good electric screwdriver, the task can be accomplished relatively easily.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hammer
• Nails and/or Screws
• Rubber Mallet
• Electric Screwdriver
• Bar of soap
• Patience

1. Lay the pieces of the box on the floor in front of you. It is imperative that all the handles are the same way. If you put the box together with one side upside down, lifting the box will be quite difficult.

2. Put glue in the joints and use the rubber mallet to hammer the sides of the box together.

3. Find a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the screws you plan to use. Drill starter holes everywhere the manufacturer has put nail starter holes/

4. Put the screws in in a rotating fashion. Screws go in easier if you rub the threads on a bar of soap first. I usually put the top screw into the corner and add the top screw in each position. Then I screw in the bottom screw. This balance seems to help the task get accomplished.

5. When you have glued and screwed the box together, it's time to paint it. Many people use paint from the "oops" cart and one of the big box hardware stores. One year my hives were light pink. This year they are all yellow with blue bottom boards and tops!

6. Congratulations! You've made a new hive box for your hive.

Tips & Warnings

• Be very careful not to build any side of the box upside down.
• Tools are dangerous. My father always says to think about how you will be injured WHEN the tool slips rather than IF.