Varroa mite detection and movement control orders for hives and bee products

Varroa mite detection and movement control orders for hives and bee products

7 July 2022

In June 2022, Varroa destructor, a parasite of the European honeybee, was detected in sentinel hives during routine surveillance at the Port of Newcastle (NSW). Varroa mite is a High Priority Plant Pest and could do significant harm to beekeeping businesses and numerous horticultural industries if not eradicated.

Drone bees can move varroa mites from hive to hive and even between apiaries. Mites are agile, move into hives quickly and transfer through bee to bee contact. It is estimated that establishment of varroa mite in Australia could result in losses of over $70 million a year.

Launch of an eradication response has been immediate. This has involved setting up biosecurity zones, containing the infected hives and euthanising the bees. There have been no detections of the mite in other states or territories at this time.

Image credit: Scott Bauer, USDA, Bugwood.org

What does Varroa mite look like?

Varroa destructor is a distinctive-looking small mite, around 1mm in diameter, and is a parasite of the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana). Mites are easily identifiable to the naked eye and are a reddish-brown colour. European honey bees infested with varroa are likely to die within 3 to 4 years if left untreated.

Movement of hives, beekeeping equipment and bee products

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

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 entity if 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 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.