Varroa Mite Update

Increase in Varroa mite detections prompts new measures in the biosecurity emergency response order

29 August 2022

In June 2022, the detection of Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in sentinel hives at Port Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW) triggered an immediate national eradication response plan. Since then, the varroa mite situation has been constantly evolving. Tracing and surveillance work carried out by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) have confirmed 99 new Infested Premises prompting expansion of the eradication zone to include newly infested premises and establishment of biosecurity measures to control and restrict the movement of hives across NSW as well as interstate. There have been no detections of the mite in other states or territories.

Restrictions on movement of hives, beekeeping equipment and bee products

Hive movement within NSW: While NSW DPI is undertaking surveillance and tracing activities, no bees or beekeeping equipment can be moved anywhere in NSW, and no honey or honeycomb can be removed from hives. Hives must not be touched unless conducting surveillance for Varroa mite or at the direction of an NSW DPI officer. Beekeepers in flood warning areas across NSW were allowed to move hives to safer ground under a special group permit issued by NSW DPI. This group permit has now expired.

The Varroa mite Emergency Order No. 24 outlines the latest changes: registered commercial beekeepers may raise and move queen bees and queen cells with any escort bees in the general emergency zone; registered commercial beekeepers may also do this from interstate to a premises within the general emergency or surveillance zone under special conditions. These conditions can be found in the latest emergency order.

View the latest emergency order.

Hive movement from NSW: No hives, bee products or beekeeping equipment from NSW are allowed into Victoria, South Australia or Queensland unless approved by permit.

Victorian Sunraysia region restrictions: In light of 2022 almond pollination requirements, Victorian and interstate beekeepers seeking to move bees, beehives, beekeeping equipment and bee products into Victoria’s Sunraysia region, from within Victoria or from another state, must obtain a permit. Permit applications into the Sunraysia region are currently being assessed for bees and hives that are already in Victoria. In addition, a permit is required for beekeepers already in Victoria’s Sunraysia region for traceability. Permits are being issued to beekeepers from South Australia and Queensland with strict conditions. At this time, no permits will be granted for movements from NSW.

View the permit conditions for entering the Victorian Sunraysia region.

Apply for a permit online at: www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/varroa. If you cannot apply online, please email Honeybee.Permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au or phone the Customer Contact Centre on 136 186.

New hive management measures as the weather warms

As spring approaches, an increase in bee activity typically indicates potential for swarming behaviour as a way of establishing new colonies during the warmer months. In NSW, new beehive management measures to prevent bees swarming and Varroa mites spreading have been put in place as part of the emergency response order.

These measures apply to beekeepers and pest controllers in charge of bees at premises that are not infected premises or suspect premises.

View the measures to prevent swarming in the latest emergency order.

Reimbursement payments available for registered beekeepers

Registered commercial and recreational beekeepers impacted by Varroa mite in the eradication emergency zone are now eligible for support as part of the $18 million industry reimbursement program.

View the Factsheet for further information on commercial beekeepers financial reimbursements.

On the right track

Alongside NSW DPI biosecurity officers, beekeepers have been aiding the ongoing surveillance effort to eradicate Varroa mite. Refocused tracing efforts revealed confirmed cases may have direct links to existing cases or are geographically linked through movement of hives or equipment.

In addition, recent developments in the monitoring and tracking of Varroa mite have resulted in the lifting of the notification emergency zone (25-50km from an Infested Premises). This zone is now included in NSW’s general surveillance zone.

What are the Varroa mite emergency zones?

The Varroa mite emergency zones consist of:

• 10km eradication zone (honeybee hives will be euthanised)
• 25km surveillance zone (monitoring of managed and feral honeybees)
• General surveillance zone (all of NSW)

View the interactive Varroa mite emergency zone map.

How can you help with this response?

If you keep a beehive within 50km of a Varroa detection you need to report the location of the hive/s, or sightings of feral hives, using this form. Detection locations be viewed on the NSW DPI website. View the map.

Agriculture Victoria have requested that Victoria beekeepers inspect hives as soon as possible by using the drone uncapping method and either the sugar shake or alcohol wash methods.

Learn how to perform an alcohol wash.

Learn how to perform a sugar shake test.

By completing these tests as soon as possible and reporting the results, you will help to determine the spread of the mite. Recording negative results are just as important as positive detections, as they provide supporting evidence of regional and state/territory freedom from the mite. To report your results access the bees online platform at bees.agriculture.vic.gov.au  Once logged in, submit your test results by clicking the “Enter Mite Results” button and follow prompts.

Biosecurity Queensland has requested that Queensland beekeepers:

• Monitor their hives and immediately report unexpected hive deaths, deformed bees, bees with parasites, poor brood patterns and dead brood to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23; and
• Register as a biosecurity entityif they own or keep at least one hive. Registration is free for non-commercial beekeepers and native bee hives do not need to be registered. Register through daf.qld.gov.au

In South Australia Beekeeper registration must be renewed every 12 months. The South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions has requested that beekeepers be alert for signs of varroa mite in their bees.

If you suspect that you have found Varroa mite call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. This hotline will divert you to the relevant agricultural department for your state.