Allen asked: "to those who have used EPS for a period of time ... Do you do anything special to break in the new boxes? Do you air them out, or just use them as-is?"
I have three polystyrene hives. Except for an experiment with a top-bar hive, polystyrene is all I've ever used since I started beekeeping in 2000. I have never had any absconds, though I also have never tried to move bees into a box in the fall. With those caveats about experience:
I do not specially air out the polystyrene hives, either deeps or supers. I do glue the corners during assembly (white glue is sufficient) and paint the exterior (some for sun protection but mostly for camoflage). I suppose you could count the time they're hanging for the paint to dry as time airing them out. It's at best a day or two. I use a notched inner cover at the top instead of drilling upper ventilation through the box itself, except in winter when I simply leave the hive-top feeder on - it acts as a decent moisture sink.
Mike Rossander
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