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Varroa update: new Biosecurity Order and updated map

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The ABA continues to work directly with the NSW DPI and AHBIC to answer members’ queries and concerns during the widening Varroa biosecurity emergency. Our Industry Liaison Officer (for recreational beekeepers) is based full-time in the Local Control Centre at Maitland.

Current Situation

An updated Biosecurity Order came into effect at 6.15 pm on 28 June 2022. This clarifies definitions and extended areas in eradication, surveillance and notification zones.

Can beekeepers feed their bees?

Not in NSW. The only permitted hive activity is surveillance work for varroa mites. This means beekeepers must not top up, change or otherwise handle feeders, until further notice. There are no exceptions for front feeders or for top feeders already in place. As frustrating as this may be for many beekeepers, you must wait. The restrictions are in place to give authorities the best opportunity to isolate and act on problem areas. 

Any change to the rules will be advised via a new Biosecurity Order. 

Can I send AFB slides for diagnosis or get boxes irradiated?

We were asked this question by one member who has recently needed to destroy AFB infected colonies and had taken smear samples from other hives just before the statewide lockdown.

The answer: they can and must send their samples to the state veterinary lab straightway. The current varroa situation does not override their biosecurity obligations to report AFB. You cannot, however, open hives to check for AFB or perform any health checks other than testing for varroa mites.

We advise all NSW members to hold off on sending contaminated boxes for irradiation. Boxes can be securely wrapped (bee proofed) and stored. In red and purple zones no apiary equipment can be moved from premises.

I’d like to check my bees for mites. Any tips?

We continue to hear from members who are confused about what to do. Performing mite checks is allowed and encouraged, but not mandated. You’ll be contacted by the DPI anytime you are specifically required to check, and given instructions.

  • Be conscious of biosecurity: if you are within 25km of an infected premises (red or purple zone) wear a disposable coverall over your bee-suit, and disposable boot covers. Remove outer clothing, bag and freeze for 24 hours after use. (You could consider doing this even if you are outside the 25km zone.)

  • Take ziplock bags to contain any suspect material, and white paper or a bucket of water ready to examine your icing sugar mix.

  • To minimise the colony’s exposure to cold temperatures, pick the warmest part of the day and get prepared before you break open any boxes to pull out frames.

  • Act calmly but decisively.

  • Remember to clean your equipment after use.

Any suspicious results must be reported immediately by:

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

Tip: to zoom in on the map, use the + and - buttons on the left-hand side rather than using a touch screen zoom. Click on the button below these +/- buttons to select the map view (image, streets, typographic etc)

Have a specific query? Contact us on beehelp@beekeepers.asn.au

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Varroa update: some questions answered

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How the state lockdown affects recreational beekeepers

The ABA is working closely with the DPI and AHBIC to provide you with clear, accurate and up to date information.

The whole of NSW is now covered by Biosecurtiy (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order 2022 No.2. You cannot move any honeybee hives, or any honeybees, packages and queens. This applies to everyone and harsh penalties are in place. 

Four different ‘zones’ have been declared. See map for current perimeters. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/seasonal-pests-and-diseases/spring/varroa-mite

“Can I check my bees?”

Do not touch or manipulate hives in any way, except to carry out mite checks.. 

You may carry out mite checks — sugar shake, alcohol washing and drone uncapping — as a surveillance measure. The bees cannot be moved from the premises to do this. Any suspicious results: call 1800 084 881 immediately.  

If you live in a cold area, your hives may not contain much or any brood but you can still sugar shake bees taken from the cluster. Pick the warmest part of the day and minimise the time the hive is open. https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/bees/pests-diseases/sugar-shake-month

If the DPI specifically asks you to do a mite check, please do it promptly and, as instructed, report your results whether they are negative or positive. 

"Can I still extract honey?”

The order for the whole state says you cannot "tamper, disturb or interfere with bees” other than when directed by an authorised officer or when performing a mite check. This means you cannot add supers, remove honey or honeycomb or manipulate hives while the order is in place. Honey processed and stored prior to the lockdown may be packaged, transported and sold.

“Can I take my suit and other equipment to different sites?

In red and purple zones (up to 25 km from confirmed sites), apiary equipment – and that includes suits, tools, smokers – cannot be moved from one premises to another. 

In the rest of the state, there’s currently no such restriction.

“How else can I help?”

If you are in red, purple or yellow zones (up to 50 km), the Number 1 priority is: notify the DPI of the location of your hives and any feral or unmanaged bees you know about. https://forms.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forms/9247 Await further instructions.

Everywhere in the state, 

For crisis support services 

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/droughthub_old/wellbeing

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Varroa update: emergency orders now in place across NSW

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A statewide lockdown is now in place prohibiting the movement of any honeybees, honeybee hives or associated equipment anywhere within NSW.

The Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order 2022 (No. 2) took effect at 6pm today and applies to all beekeepers — recreational and commercial. It means that you cannot move your hives, any of your honeybees or any associated equipment from its current location. 

This order extends a previous order that applied to a zone within 50 kilometre radius of Newcastle. 

Varroa mite has been detected at several properties across New South Wales, and it is suspected to be present at several others.

Police have the authority to stop and fine beekeepers on the spot, and penalties will be heavy. 

We urge all beekeepers to co-operate fully with these orders and any biosecurity measures aimed at keeping Australian beekeeping free of varroa. Small inconveniences now will be worth it if we can contain this incursion.  

We will post updates when we have further information. Meanwhile, you can contact us on beehelp@beekeepers.asn.au if you have specific queries and we will endeavour to help.

The map below shows the Eradication, Surveillance, Notification and General Biosecurity Zones described in the Order.

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Varroa mite detection at Port of Newcastle

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Late on Wednesday 22 June, the ABA was made aware of the detection of mites in surveillance hives at the port of Newcastle. These mites have been tested and positively identified as Varroa destructor.

What is the ABA doing?

A comprehensive Emergency Response Plan is in place for such incidents, and the ABA executive team is actively involved in the response to this outbreak, working closely with the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC).

The ABA is providing an Industry Liaison Officer who will be located at the local coordination centre in Maitland.

We will contact members within 50km of the Port of Newcastle with specific instructions and advice.

What should beekeepers do?

DO NOT move or destroy any hives unless specifically instructed by a DPI officer.

It is vital that beekeepers understand that an Emergency Biosecurity Order is place, and that a 50km “do not move” zone has been established around the Newcastle area. If you have hives in this area, you must:

  1. NOT move any hives or beekeeping equipment from its current location

  2. NOTIFY the DPI of the location of all hives by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline, 1800 084 881 or completing this form

  3. AWAIT further instructions

Press release from Dugald Saunders, NSW Minister for Agriculture

NSW beekeepers have been called on to safeguard their industry after an early warning system found varroa mite, the most serious pest of honey bees worldwide, in biosecurity surveillance hives at the Port of Newcastle.

NSW Chief Plant Protection Officer, Satendra Kumar, said the hives were immediately contained and the bees were euthanised.

“NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) plans to protect the NSW honey industry by eradicating the parasite, which was confirmed as Varroa destructor,” Dr Kumar said.

“Australia is the only major honey producing country free from varroa mite. If varroa mite establishes here it could cost Australia’s honey industry more than $70 million a year and adversely impact multibillion-dollar plant industries, which rely on bee pollination.”

The eradication plan is supported by a varroa mite biosecurity zone covering an area within a 50 km radius of the Port of Newcastle infestation.

Within this biosecurity zone, no hive can be moved and beekeepers must notify NSW DPI of the location of all hives by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline, 1800 084 881 or completing this form.

Eradication plans include treatment of beehives within a 10 km emergency zone around the infestation and inspection of managed and feral honey bee colonies within a 25 km surveillance zone.

Beyond the 50 km biosecurity zone, beekeepers should continue to inspect their hives for signs of varroa mite and report mites or anything suspicious to 1800 084 881.

The mites are tiny reddish-brown parasites and individual mites are easily identifiable to the naked eye. 

Samples of the mites were confirmed as Varroa destructor by molecular diagnosis at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute.

Beekeepers work side-by-side with government as part of Australia’s early warning system to detect exotic honey bee pests, the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program, which includes surveillance hives and catch boxes at strategic locations around our ports and airports.

More information is available from NSW DPI: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/seasonal-pests-and-diseases/spring/varroa-mite

Hive inspection techniques: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/bees/pests-diseases/sugar-shake-month

Varroa mite detection form: https://forms.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forms/9247