BBKA Exam Series

Module 1 Paper 3

Honey Bee Management

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🐝 BBKA Module 1 — Exam 3 (Questions 1–31)

Answer all parts, then click Submit. Options and sequences reshuffle each time you load or reset the quiz.

Section A — One correct OR select all that apply (1 mark each)

1) Explain how to introduce a new queen into an aggressive colony (select all that apply)
2) Explain how to requeen using a nuc (select all that apply)
3) What is the correct procedure when giving a test frame? (1 = first)
  1. Add a frame with eggs/very young larvae from another colony
  2. Do not add a queen; leave undisturbed 3–5 days
  3. Check for emergency queen cells on that frame
  4. Interpret result: cells present = queenless; none = likely queenright
4) Give reasons why bees may abscond (select all that apply)
5) Why might colonies supersede queens? (select all that apply)
6) What are possible consequences of poor apiary siting? (select all that apply)
7) What management is appropriate if colonies develop drone layers? (select all that apply)
8) Explain the difference between a drone-laying queen and laying workers
9) Describe how to check for a drone-laying queen versus laying workers
10) State the signs of European Foulbrood (EFB) (select all that apply)
11) State the signs of American Foulbrood (AFB) (select all that apply)

Section B — Short answer / multi-part

12) How should colonies with AFB/EFB be treated in the UK? (select all that apply)
13) How can a beekeeper reduce the risk of disease spread? (select all that apply)
14) What is the role of the NBU in disease control? (select all that apply)
15) Which brood diseases are notifiable in the UK? (select all that apply)
16) Bailey comb change — place the steps in order (1 = first)
  1. Prepare clean brood box with new foundation and feeder
  2. Place above old brood box with queen excluder between
  3. Provide new upper entrance; feed syrup
  4. Move queen to upper box; allow brood to emerge below
  5. After ~3 weeks remove old brood box/frames
  6. Continue feeding until comb is drawn
17) Shook swarm — place the steps in order (1 = first)
  1. Prepare clean brood box with new foundation; feed ready
  2. Shake all bees from old frames into the new box (queen retained)
  3. Provide feed and close; ensure ventilation
  4. Remove old combs for safe disposal/sterilisation
  5. Monitor; add space as comb is drawn
18) Advantages and disadvantages of shook swarm (select all that apply)
19) Pros and cons of artificial swarming methods (select all that apply)
20) What is the purpose of drone brood uncapping?
21) What is the purpose of the sugar roll test?
22) How is Varroa mite drop counted? (1 = first)
  1. Place a sticky board/tray beneath the colony (with screen)
  2. Leave in place for a known period (e.g., 3 days)
  3. Count mites on the board
  4. Calculate average daily drop (mites ÷ days)

Section C — Sequences and extended items

23) Pros and cons of natural mite drop method (select all that apply)
24) Which treatments are available for Varroa? (select all that apply)
25) Safety precautions when using thymol (select all that apply)
26) Safety precautions when using oxalic acid (select all that apply)
27) What should a beekeeper record in apiary records? (select all that apply)
28) When introducing a queen to a nuc, should she be in a cage initially? (True/False)
29) Explain how to manage laying workers (select all that apply)
30) What are the signs of laying workers? (select all that apply)
31) What will happen if a colony remains queenless?