Welcome to Gobeekeeping

§  Home Page
§ About me and my bees
§ Install a package of bees
§ Why new packages fail
§ Spring Management
§ Test your knowledge
§ Beekeeping classes
§ Power point presentations

 I always welcome questions regarding the test on this site.  I am posting questions and answers to those who write concerning the answers I have used on the test.

We are working to improve them.  

The test should be a learning experience -- And if you question the answer -- you are thinking!

(Note:  Test questions are randomly selected and numbers on questions will change when a test is selected.)   Question 44 is one of over 100 questions available on the beginning beekeeping test.   It will appear on a future test with a different number.)  I appreciate the format of including a paste copy of the question when you check your answers and want an explanation from me.

3-20-15  

Hello,
I am a third year beekeeper and readying myself for the first Apprentice test in Texas' new Master Beekeeping Program.  I love that you have practice tests, but question the avoidance of burlap as a smoker fuel.  Williamson County Area Beekeepers distribute burlap bags from a coffee company as fuel lighter. 
Dewey Caron in his text Honey Bee Biology suggests burlap on page 179.
Thanks for your response and yes you can use my comment. Appreciate the work on the web site. 

  Pamela Burns Yeamans from Texas   

Question:  Question 44
Which smoker fuel should be avoided?

a. burlap
b. wood pulp
c. pine straw
d. wood pellets
 The correct answer is: a

I love that you have practice tests, but question the avoidance of burlap as a smoker fuel.  Williamson County Area Beekeepers distribute burlap bags from a coffee company as fuel lighter.  Dewey Caron in his text Honey Bee Biology suggests burlap on page 179.

Answer: 

If you see green burlap it is treated generally with copper sulfate and is often used in the landscape industry.   Other burlap used on farms is treated with Compol, a fungicide and some use Eradicoat (a latex-based polymer with permethrin) a pesticide.   Some burlap is dyed and treated with flame retardants such as Flame Stop.  (This is usually found in burlap used for in house burlap materials that may be used for art projects).  Burlap is also treated with surfactants and oxidants in the washing process.  Burlap is available in its natural state but you will have to do an internet search to find it and even then you may not be told exactly how natural it is.

Question 7
Package bees upon arrival should be fed and stored at ____ degrees F. until they can be installed in the hive?

a. 50 - 60
b. 70
c. 75
d. 80
 The correct answer is: a  

Why store bees at 50 to 60 degrees???
 

Pamela Burns Yeamans

Answer:

As temperatures rise the bees become very active in the package.  You will see this with bees rushing around inside a package rather than be clustered and quiet.  I handle a lot of packages -- and stress is a big factor in holding them for any period of time.   Keep them dark and cool.  You may be interested that big barns in the south use big fans blowing over packages constantly to keep them cool.   The barns have open sides and even the wind and natural air flow is not enough to keep package bees quiet until they are loaded for the trip north.
 
 This is a side of beekeeping that most never see.  You can kill a package of bees very quickly if they get over heated.