Varroa update: teams conducting testing in the purple zone
Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Order No.7 is now in effect.
All current cases are known to be linked to previously indentified cases in the Newcastle area, giving the apiary industry a good opportunity to stop the spread, and eradicate this biosecurity threat.
You must not touch or move your hives unless to feed using an approved internal feeder, or to inspect for mites by one of these approved methods:
Important information for beekeepers in the purple surveillance zone
If you are a registered beekeeper in the purple zone, an officer from the DPI will be in touch with you in the next few days. This officer will be calling to advise you of an upcoming visit to conduct testing on your hives. If you miss a call from the officer they will attempt to call at a later time. This work is extremely important and will help the DPI as it works to eradicate the Varroa mite infection.
Who is doing this testing, and why?
In spite of awful weather and rapidly rising flood waters, 17 response teams were working in the field today. These teams are made up of DPI staff working with volunteers from Amateur Beekeepers Australia and the NSW Rural Fire Service. As the weather improves, more teams will be deployed.
The teams are currently inspecting and sampling hives in the red and purple zones around the Port Stephens and Newcastle areas, and in the coming days will be moving into the Maitland and Raymond Terrace areas.
The red zone will continue to grow until the epidemiologists and entomologists are satisfied that all infected premises are contained inside the red zone. The purple zone with then be a 15km varroa-free ring around the infected area. (The only exceptions will be the specific locations where we know bees from within this area have been relocated.)
How to report bees acquired from the Newcastle region in the past year.
Anyone who has acquired honeybees (including queen bees, nucleus hives and hives with honeybees) from within 50km of the Port of Newcastle (the red, purple and yellow emergency zones) in the past 12 months is encouraged to report this to the DPI, to help us detect and eradicate the varroa mite.
Report these honeybees using the DPI’s online reporting form.
Are your hives within 50km of an infected premises?
Find out which zone your hives are in by entering the address in the search box on the interactive map.
If your hives are within 50km of an infected premises (red, purple or yellow zones):
You must report your hive locations
Report the location of your hives to the DPI via the Beekeeper Notifications - Varroa mite online form. You can also use this form to report feral hives in the red, purple or yellow zones.
Please check for mites - and report your results
So far over 400 negative test results have been reported - the majority from recreational beekeepers. We are particularly interested in test results from the purple zone (10 to 25km from an infected premises). It is important that you report negative as well as positive results so that the Emergency Response Team can build a comprehensive map of where there are mites, and where there are none.
You can test by any approved method: sugar shake test, alcohol wash or brood uncapping
Report your results by calling the DPI Hotline on 1800 084 881 (9am to 5pm, 7 days a week).
Sheila Stokes, the ABA’s Industry Liaison Officer continues to work at the Local Control Centre in Maitland, to provide timely and accurate information to our members.
If you are interested in understanding how the Emergency Response is organised, you will find a wealth of information on the Plant Health Australia website.
Have a specific query? Contact us on beehelp@beekeepers.asn.au
Support for beekeepers
There are free and confidential support services available to beekeepers during this difficult time.
Accessing small business and mental health and wellbeing support early is encouraged. The services listed below are open to all beekeepers: large or small, urban or rural. The friendly staff understand the situation and can connect you with the help you need.
Business owners can contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service for advice and support to review their financial situation and assist with future planning. Call Badar Musad on 0439 956 165.
The Rural Financial Counselling Service will support all beekeepers and will connect you with suitable services depending on your situation.
The Rural Financial Counselling Service can assist with assessing eligibility of beekeepers to the Farm Household Allowance.
Business owners are encouraged to speak with their banking institution and/or lenders to discuss their situation and develop a plan together.
The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program is available to support beekeepers who would like to chat about their situation, and they can refer you to other services. Call Matthew Milne on 0437 989 044.
Beekeepers in the Central Coast region can call Lauren Shields, a social worker with the Central Coast Local Health District on 0428 250 610 to discuss mental health and wellbeing.
You can call the NSW Mental Health Line for yourself, or if you are concerned about someone. This line is open 24 hours, 7 days a week on 1800 011 511.
Charitable assistance is available to support households with items such as food and groceries, household items and household bill support. Charities such as Rural Aid will provide support to commercial beekeepers.