Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Order No. 3 is currently in effect. The Order defines the current Emergency Zones, and specifies the rules applying to each of them.

To find out which zone your bees are in, enter the address in the search box on the map at dpi.nsw.gov.au/varroa

The ABA continues to work directly with the NSW DPI and AHBIC to provide accurate answers and support for recreational beekeepers.

The ABA is part of the emergency response team based at the Local Control Centre (LCC) at Maitland.

What happens there?

One important part of the emergency response is to track and trace each positive case to understand how they are related. This gives the team of entomologists and epidemiologists the tools they need to predict the possible spread, and to determine where surveillance operations need to be concentrated.

Sometimes we need to check that varroa is not in a specific area. So if you receive a request directly from the DPI (or from the ABA on behalf of the DPI) to carry out a sugar shake test on your bees, don’t panic!, it doesn’t indicate that varroa has arrived on your doorstep.

Please just carry out the testing as requested, and send the results through promptly.

I’m in the red zone. I know the DPI is busy. Is it okay for me to kill my own bees ?

No. Please do not touch your bees. You may be destroying evidence for contact tracers. Each hive is a piece of a big jigsaw, helping investigators to home in on trouble spots. You will be contacted by DPI. Until then, please hold tight. This is the very best way that you can help everybody. 

If I can’t open my hive to feed my bees, can I leave sugar syrup out for them?

Please don’t do this. Varroa mites jump between honeybees. This is a major way they spread through the population. If you create a communal feeding station, you’re in effect setting up Superspreader HQ..

I’d like to do something to help. Can i report feral colonies?

Download the free mobile app Emergency Plus. This shows the latitude and longitude of your location. If you find a wild colony or swarm, open the app and take a screenshot. Then take a regular photo of the spot. In red, purple and yellow zones, share this information with authorities. In other areas, store it safely in case it can help later.

Can beekeepers collect swarms or nuisance bees?

In NSW: no!  Biosecurity Order No. 3  prohibits beekeepers from handling managed or unmanaged honeybees. The only permitted live bee activity is surveillance work for varroa mites. 

If honeybees are causing a threat to human safety, call Triple Zero (000).  And if you’re on the ABA’s swarm collector register and get calls from the public,  please advise them of the lockdown rules. 

In red, yellow and purple zones, the locations of all managed and  unmanaged bees MUST be notified to authorities one of three ways:

• Completing a Biosecurity Concern form (nsw.gov.au)

• Emailing hive.location@emergency.dpi.nsw.gov.au, or

• Calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline, 1800 084 881

In the blue zone, authorities are NOT asking people to report locations at this time. However, all beekeepers are urged to update their rego details – and you can record your hive locations with your online records. To do this online, go to: BFS Portal 

I need to tell the DPI the location of my hives, but they’re not at a street address

The free mobile app Emergency Plus will tell you precisely where you are standing.

More information

For the latest on the emergency: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/varroa

Have a specific query?

Contact us on beehelp@beekeepers.asn.au

For support services:

Beyondblue – www.beyondblue.org.au  information relating to depression and anxiety disorders, as well as options for treatment, recovery and staying well. Beyondblue offers online counselling, support and referrals. Phone: 1300 22 46 36

Lifeline – www.lifeline.org.au  Compassionate support for people in crisis. No judgement. No conditions. No agenda. Just a human connection. Confidential crisis support is available via phone, text or online chat. Phone: 13 11 14   Lifeline Text: 0447 13 11 14   Online chat: www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/

NSW Mental Health Line - A mental health professional will answer your call about mental health concerns for you or someone you are concerned about, including children, teens, adults and older people.  Phone: 1800 011 511

Rural Adversity Mental Health Program - www.ramhp.com.au Educating, encouraging and linking rural people to mental health support. Phone: 1300 22 46 36