The Bee Castle Nuc Box - Why Did We Spend $91 on It?
- Pete Rizzo
- Aug 2
- 5 min read
When it comes to our bees, we don’t cut corners. Every piece of equipment we bring into our apiary has to be sturdy, practical, and built with bee health and our beekeeping sanity in mind.
So when we dropped $91 on a Bee Castle nuc box, we had one question to answer and to share with you. Was it worth it? Yes absolutely.
Look at that stunning beehive box in our backyard. We love it and it looks so beautiful sitting next to our drum beehive.
We are no strangers to buying bee equipment and bee hives. Over the years, we've learned that investing in quality gear makes a world of difference. Plus, we love trying out everything and seeing how everything stacks up in our work.
Side Note - We do not take free products from any company. This would lead to a conflict of interest in reviewing the products. We prefer to pay and tell how we really feel.
Unboxing the Bee Castle Nuc: What Came in the Package
We ordered the standard Bee Castle 5-frame deep nuc box, and when it arrived, the packaging was solid. No dents or busted corners.
Everything was packed flat, clean, and organized. It was easy to sort through without anything being bent, warped, or missing. Here’s what we got:
Fully waxed cedar hive body
Solid waxed bottom board
Inner cover and metal-covered outer cover
Five deep wooden frames with wax-coated black plastic foundation
Wooden entrance reducer
All required nails and screws, pre-drilled holes included
Every piece clicked together with precision. Holes were pre-drilled for the screws. Nothing felt flimsy or cheap.
The materials used are all top notch, and exactly what we expected from Bee Castle. We have ordered their products in the past, and we were always happy with them, and still are!
A Quality Nuc That’s Built to Last
We’ve handled plenty of temporary nucs over the years. Cardboard boxes that buckle if they get damp, thin plywood lids that curl in the heat, and cheap plastic that cooks the bees here in Las Vegas.
The Bee Castle is a different animal. Let me show you the features stood out right away:
Thick walls that hold up in the Vegas heat
Tight dovetail joints for a snug, durable fit
Heavy-duty outer cover that anchors everything down
Slide-in entrance reducer which we nailed ours in for added security
Visually? It’s gorgeous. We placed it next to our drum hive and couldn’t stop admiring it.
In Las Vegas, we will always add a plywood cover or foam board on top of the outer cover, because the desert sun is cripplingly hot. This helps a lot by keeping the sun off that metal cover.
Frame Quality is Standard Issue
We were expecting Dadant quality from the included frames, and they’re solid. The plastic foundation is fully wax coated. The bees will take to it right away, drawing comb without hesitation. They are made of pine wood and went together without issues.
Why We Paid $91: What Justifies the Price
Let’s be honest, $91 is quite expensive for a nuc box. You can get cheaper options. You can even make one yourself. But here’s what we were really buying:
Durability: This isn’t a throwaway box. We expect to use it year after year. Whether we’re catching swarms, splitting hives, or keeping small hives, this box is going to hold up.
Convenience: It comes with everything we need right out of the gate. No scrambling for extra frames or fiddling with makeshift covers and bottoms.
Bee Comfort: This box creates a stable environment. It may keep the bees at a comfortable temperature, the bees can breathe well inside, and it will travel without problems.
Professional Appearance: If you show up for a removal or deliver a nuc to a customer, this box looks clean and sharp. It reflects high standards and care.
What We’re Using It For
Right now, we’re using it as a backyard beehive. The 5 frame box is a perfect home for a small swarm late in the season. It is the first week of August, and in Las Vegas, the bees are still swarming.
We keep our hives small in the backyard out of consideration for our close neighbors. Five-frame nuc boxes are the perfect fit for our setup. They're compact, easy to manage, and let us work the bees without drawing too much attention, or taking up a ton of space.
Any Downsides?
If we’re being picky, the only real complaint is that it’s heavier than a typical nuc. However, that’s also part of why it works so well. The added weight of the top cover means stability and durability, not bulk.
Also, the entrance reducer has only one size. We really wanted a second bigger entrance notch as well as the small one.
Final Thoughts: Would We Buy Another One?
Absolutely. In fact, we already did. This is the kind of gear that earns its place in our backyard. If you’re running a few hives in your backyard or doing swarm work, this box punches well above its weight.
We paid $91 for it because we knew what we needed: quality, convenience, and reliability. The Bee Castle nuc box delivers all three. Plus it looks so amazing in the yard!
Got questions about how we’re using it? Thinking about buying one yourself? Drop us a message. We’re always happy to talk bees and gear.
Or better yet, check out our other blog posts for more honest reviews, field-tested tips, and real-world beekeeping advice straight from the Las Vegas Valley.
Because when you care about your bees, the tools you choose matter.
Betsy & Pete
🐝Las Vegas’s All-Natural Live Bee Removal Team
About Us: The Authors
We’re Betsy and Pete - Beekeepers on a Mission in Las Vegas
We’re not just in the bee business, we’re in the bee-saving business. Trained by a master beekeeper and backed by hundreds of successful removals, we are dedicated to rescuing and relocating honey bees with care and precision.
Every swarm we save and every hive we manage reflects our deep love for the bees.
At our Joshua Tree Preserve in Arizona, we care for dozens of thriving hives. Some wild, some honey-bearing, and all are part of our commitment to ethical, sustainable beekeeping.
Why Vegas Bees? Because We Never Stop Learning or Caring
Beekeeping is always evolving, and so are we. We stay on the cutting edge by continuing our education, connecting with fellow beekeepers, and refining our beekeeping practices and techniques to ensure the best outcomes for both bees and people.
Whether it’s advanced bee removal strategies or the latest natural methods, we’re always one step ahead.
We’re also proud to support the beekeeping community with high-quality beekeeping supplies for everyone, from curious beginners to seasoned pros. If you’re ready to suit up and start your journey, we’ve got what you need.
