A lightweight, weatherproof nuc box for swarms, splits and queen rearing These folding nucleus hives are the go-to temporary housing when you don't want to commit a full wooden hive. Made from twin-wall corrugated plastic — sometimes loosely called a "cardboard nuc," though these are far tougher and reusable — they're strong, water-resistant, and fold flat between uses so you can keep a stack in the truck or shed without losing shelf space. Each nuc box comes with an entrance disc and is sold in packs of 5. What you can use it for: Selling nucs — cheap enough to send out the door with the bees Catching swarms — light enough to mount in a tree, dark interior bees love Queen rearing & mating nucs — quick to set up, easy to inspect Splits and overwintering small colonies — when you don't have a spare wooden box Emergency hive replacement — flat-pack a few in the truck for callouts Why beekeepers prefer corrugated plastic over waxed cardboard Reusable for many seasons, not single-use Won't soften or sag in rain or summer humidity Holds five standard Langstroth deep frames (frames not included) Folds flat for off-season storage Lightweight enough for ladder work or remote bee yards Specifications Frames: Fits 5 standard Langstroth deep frames (frames sold separately) Assembled dimensions: 20.8" × 8.7" × 10.6" (52.8 × 22.1 × 26.9 cm) Material: Twin-wall corrugated polypropylene Includes: Entrance disc with adjustable openings Quantity: Sold in packs of 5 Shipped: Flat-packed, unassembled Assembly Each nuc folds together in a couple of minutes — no tools needed. View the plastic nuc box assembly guide before your first build. Frequently Asked Questions Do these nuc boxes come with frames? No — frames are sold separately. The plastic nuc fits five standard Langstroth deep frames. Are they weatherproof? Yes. Twin-wall corrugated plastic is water-resistant and UV-stable for several seasons of outdoor use, unlike waxed cardboard nucs which soften in rain. How long do they last? With reasonable care, expect 3–5 seasons of use. Stored flat between uses, they last considerably longer. How do I assemble one? Each nuc folds together in a couple of minutes without tools. We've put together a step-by-step assembly guide — link is in the description above. Can I leave bees in a plastic nuc long term? They're designed as temporary housing — for selling, swarm catching, queen mating or short-term splits. For permanent colonies, transfer the bees into a wooden Langstroth hive once the colony is established. Why are they sold in 5-packs only? Beekeepers rarely need just one. Buying in fives keeps the per-unit cost down ($10 per nuc) and means you've got spares ready when swarm season hits.
