The proper use of fume boards was discussed in other postings, so I'll just
confine myself to the chemicals.  "Bee Go" (active ingredient Butyric
Anhydride) is misnamed in my opinion.  It should be called "Everything Go".
  Everyone agrees the stuff smells like vomit.  Spill it on yourself, and
you're sleeping in the garage for the next few days.  Worse, the smell gets
into the cappings wax.  That means that any comb honey exposed to the stuff
(and any wax you get from the cappings) will also smell like vomit.  "Honey
Robber" (same active ingredient) is just as bad.  The cherry scent does not
disguise the vomit smell, and the mixture of the two, well, Bee-L is a family
newsgroup.
 
My chemical of choice for fume boards is Benzaldehyde, the chemical that
smells like almonds.  The drawback is that Benzaldehyde is on the EPA's list
of Nasty Chemicals, so it is hard to get.   Mann Lake still lists it in
gallons, and one gallon will last a hobbyist a lifetime.  If that amount
seems a bit much, then call Mann Lake (they may still have benzaldehyde in
quarts), or get your local club to order a gallon and split it up.
 
Benzaldehyde's drawbacks are it needs a somewhat warmer temperature than
Bee-Go to work (at least 80 f), and if you spill Benzaldehyde on yourself you
can get a chemical burn.  The label also lists a spontaneous combustion
hazard, so wash down your fume board with water after each session.
 
One item on fume boards in general:  They do not get rid of ALL the bees in a
super.  If you're planning to take the super into someplace that must remain
totally bee-free (like an elementary school extracting demonstration), you
will have to inspect and further  de-bee the super.
 
W. G. Miller
Gaithersburg, MD