Assemble and check your Primal Bee hive before installing bees. Two steps need particular attention. Secure the Bottom Board Screen so it stays flat without gaps, and glue every super before use. A super carrying honey is heavy, and unglued wall joints can separate when you lift or move it.
Use water-based carpenter glue suitable for high-density EPS. Solvent-based products can damage the material. Keep the Welcome to Primal Bee booklet alongside this guide for the component diagram and feeding configuration.
Before you begin
Lay out the components on a clean surface and check for damage.
Have EPS-safe water-based carpenter glue, T-pins, tacks, or staples for the screen, and a strap or tape for holding super walls while the glue cures.
Prepare foundation for every active nest frame. Starter Kit foundations are not included and must be purchased or prepared separately.
If a component is damaged, has loose or under-compressed EPS beads, or will not seat properly, stop and contact Primal Bee support with photos and your order details. Work only with an empty component away from the colony. Do not pry against EPS with a metal hive tool, force glued walls apart, or heat or trim a suspect part to make it fit.
1. Assemble the nest and fit the beams
Connect the front and rear nest panels to the side panels on their pegs. Press the connections together and check that each wall seats evenly. The nest's interlocking design does not require glue.
Fit the two nest beams inside the nest. They support the proprietary nest frames.
2. Secure the Bottom Board Screen and fit the Varroa Tray
The Bottom Board Screen is the fixed screen below the nest. The Varroa Tray is the separate removable tray beneath it.
Slide the screen fully into the bottom board slots. Fasten it firmly with T-pins, tacks, or staples. Check that it stays flat and supported. If it sags, moves, or leaves an open gap, add or reposition the fasteners before installing bees.
Slide the Varroa Tray beneath the screen and check that it moves freely. For ongoing tray use and mite monitoring, see Screen bottom board, ventilation, and Varroa monitoring. For treatment guidance, see Mite treatment compatibility.
3. Glue every super
Super gluing is required. It holds the walls together under honey weight and supports the coupling-profile seal. Keep the super separate from the rest of the hive while it dries.
Dry-fit the walls and check that the connections seat fully.
Apply EPS-safe water-based carpenter glue to the connector areas and parallel cavities.
Connect the walls promptly, fit the spacers while the glue is workable, and check that the super is square.
Wipe away excess glue with water while it is wet.
Hold only the pieces being bonded with a strap or tape.
Follow the glue manufacturer's cure time before lifting the super or adding weight.
Apply gentle hand pressure at each corner. No joint should open or shift.
Use standard wooden Medium or Deep frames for the selected super depth. See the current kit listing for what is included.
4. Prepare the frames and follower board
Install foundation in every active nest frame before adding bees. Coat plastic foundation with beeswax before use. Follow Installing foundations and applying beeswax coating for the procedure.
For follower board placement and colony expansion, use Using the follower board to manage colony growth. Queen excluders and ongoing frame management are covered in Frame management, queen excluders, and hive accessories.
5. Fit the top ring, feeder lid, and outer lid
Seat each component evenly and fit the plugs in unused feeding holes. Use only feeders that sit safely and seal correctly with the feeder lid. If you are unsure whether a feeder jar or accessory is compatible, contact support before placing it over the colony.
The feeder lid has a pre-cut feeding hole; the outer lid does not. If the feeder lid appears sealed, check which lid you are holding. Do not cut a hole yourself. Send support a photo if you have confirmed that the feeder lid is missing its opening.
6. Fit the entrance reducers and safety strap
Fit entrance reducers with their openings facing outward for a working entrance, or the solid side outward to close that entrance. Rotate the reducer to select the opening. Color does not determine opening size.
Run the safety strap vertically down the sides of the hive, not across the entrance face. Keep the buckle clear of bee traffic and tighten the strap without deforming the EPS. Follow Safety straps and anchoring your hive.
Final pre-installation check
The Bottom Board Screen is firmly fastened, flat, and free of open gaps.
The Varroa Tray slides freely beneath the screen.
Every active nest frame has foundation, and the follower board is positioned for the colony.
Every super is glued, square, fully cured, and secure at every corner.
The feeder lid sits flat, and unused feeding holes are plugged.
The entrance reducers are rotated to the intended openings.
The stack sits evenly, and the safety strap is secure without blocking the entrances or deforming the EPS.
Cleaning and replacement parts
Assembly guidance ends here. Use Hive maintenance, cleaning, repairs, and replacement parts for ongoing equipment care and the damaged-part support path.
For disease-specific sanitation, follow How to sanitize a hive after American Foulbrood rather than treating routine cleaning as disease control.