Varroa detected in Australia

[max2]

Please read this press release:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-06-24/varroa-mite-detected-at-newcastle-port/101180446

This is not an ideal time to inspect hives in many parts of Australia...BUT if at all possible I urge beekeepers to check hives, do an Alcohol Wash if you are anywhere near the location.

I have written to the Federal Minister for Ag and hope that if enough beekeepers write, swift action will follow.

[max2]

Here is a great instruction regarding an alcohol wash:
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=how+to+do+an+alcohol+wash#kpvalbx=_zE21YoKXNN7Fz7sP04W9wAY16

[Ben Framed]

Max that is big news, but not good news. I hope y'all have caught the situation in time. I have a question, does your country have wild bees, (feral hives), in the same area? If so, these could become 'uninhibited' breeding grounds for Varroa Destructor.

Phillip

[The15thMember]

Oh man, hopefully you guys can somehow get it under control before it spreads.  What a shame. 

[max2]

Hi Ben,

Newcastle is quite a long way away from us here and I'm not up with the local situation.

I would assume that there would be wild nests of honey bees in the forested areas near the port - say withing 5 km.

SHB have knocked the wild population here and I would expect a similar situation there.

The information is still poor. I understand that the swarm was found at the port but ...maybe on an arriving ship? I will keep you posted.

I have sent out e-mails to many beekeeping friends but mostly elderly they often don't use e-mails as a means of communication.
I'm partially deaf and hardly use the phone.

I will visit a good beekeeping friend who has connections with the beekeeping organisations.

max

[max2]

Thhis has just come in:

https://honeybee.org.au/varroa-mite-detected-at-the-port-of-newcastle/

It looks like the authorities are taking it seriously....and have success!

[Ben Framed]

Thanks Max, wishing you the best.

Phillip

[Ben Framed]

Hi Max, I have sent to you a PM.

Below is a video just put out by Richard Noel of Brittany France. Richard is a hard enemy of Varroa Destructor. I introduced Richard previously a couple years ago here at Beemaster on another topic. See the topic here at Beemaster: "Treat for No Treaters"

Richard, as we are, is VERY concerned about (Varroa Destructors') recently found presence in your Australia. Hopefully these concerns will be short lived as the beekeeping community in your country will have things nicely under control. I am enclosing a video he just put out with some of his thoughts on the matter.

Phillip


https://youtu.be/dD7mb-zD2yY

[Bee North]

Thanks for your support guys....fingers crossed Max!

We have been through this before in the port of Townsville which is up here in North QLD and we managed to contain it. Let's hope we have been successful this time as well.

Arrrh...very scary!

[max2]

Yes, thanks for the video and concern.

I have written to the fellow who is in charge of the operation and will keep you posted if I hear some news.

Lots of questions...

[max2]

Here is the lastest:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-06-27/beekeepers-suffer-multi-million-dollar-set-back-deadly-parasite/101185494

I had a meeting with 3 other beekeepers - professional ones, not small hobby ones. Interesting to note that the avearage age of the four of us is 74!

I understand that the beekeepers who have their hives destroyed will be compensated .

As you can see in the article noy only are beekeeprs affected but with the movemnet of hives banned for now, the Almond industry and other Horticultural crops will be affected.

It may well be the wake-up call the country and our leaders needs.

[max2]

The latest:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-06-27/what-is-varroa-mite-and-how-will-it-impact-australias-honey/101185714

[Ben Framed]

Thanks for the updates Max.

Phillip

[max2]

Sorry, but there is not good news:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-06-28/bee-eradication-nsw-government-control-varroa-mite/101188568

[The15thMember]

Max, am I correct in remembering that varroa was introduced to Australia several years ago, like 2014 I think, and was successfully eradicated?  I feel like I remember seeing articles from around that time and it was gotten under control again, but maybe I'm incorrect. 

[max2]

You are correct.
I think they found Asian Bees in the Cairns area and the area was declared varroa free some time back.

It seems this incursion is much more serious.

Reading between the lines ( I hope I'm wrong) this time varroa was around for some time before it was noticed.

Of course we all hope that it can be erradicated - time will tell.

[max2]

More bad news - Varroa is spreading...

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-29/varroa-mite-red-zones-added-in-nsw-hives-to-be-destroyed/101191926

[Bee North]

Not good Max

[Ben Framed]

It had once seemed to me that a 'thought to be' blind, slow moving, tick looking tiny bug would be slow to move, slow to spread. However, after viewing a video that The15Member posted here a time ago, showing a varroa mite 'seeming to jump' as a paper clip might be drawn to a magnet. The speed and distance of the varroas' move was a real eye opener for me. Perhaps Reagan will repost it here for you all if she can can find it...

Phillip

[Jim134]

At will be very difficult to get rid of all the Varroa );


        BEE HAPPY  Jim134