Beekeepers seek solutions as varroa mite destroys colonies

Queensland beekeepers are being forced to burn their beehive frames as the state's honeybees are ravaged by varroa mite. (ABC News: Will Murray) Queensland beekeepers and industry experts have met in Bundaberg to discuss ways to combat the invasive varroa mite, which is causing widespread destruction to wild and managed hives. Apiarists are calling for government assistance in the short-term, with new biopesticides expected to remain in development for years. Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett says the state is working with researchers and the federal government to find a solution, but will not provide relief payments. Link copiedShareShare articleWith the industry in the grips of a "terrifying" fight for survival against varroa mites, Queensland beekeepers have gathered in Bundaberg desperate for news of effective treatments. Varroa is a parasitic mite that attacks European honey bee colonies. Almost all wild honey bees in south-east Queensland are gone, and many of the state's managed colonies have either collapsed or are under threat. Murray Arkadieff runs one of the region's biggest commercial operations and has already lost a quarter of his bees. Bees weakened by varroa mite cannot defend their colonies from other pests like small hive beetle. (ABC News: Will Murray) He treats his hives using the methods approved by Australian regulators, including oxalic acid and synthetic miticides. But he said the mites are now resistant to the synthetic treatments, and some methods are not suitable to be used in Queensland conditions. All of the options are expensive when used at scale. "It'll cost us upwards of $300,000," he said. Murray Arkadieff runs one of south-east Queensland’s biggest commercial beekeeping operations. (ABC News: Will Murray) He is frustrated at being told by Queensland authorities to continue using the same treatment regimen and to "hang on" until the threat dies down and the industry can rebuild. "At the moment we're trying to apply US treatments to an Australian environment and that, clearly, is not working because our bees are dying," he said. "If we're not producing income because all our bees are dead, then we can't stay in the industry to then rebuild it." Beekeepers in Queensland are "barely hanging on" a year after the varroa mite was first detected there. Adding to the financial burden is the presence of other pests which benefit from varroa infestations, including the small hive beetle. The mite weakens the colony, which then cannot defend itself from the beetle. The beetles lay their eggs in the hive, and when their larvae hatch, they eat the honey and brood, leaving behind a fermented sludge. Mr Arkadieff said resurrecting the frames is too difficult and expensive, so he resorts to burning them. Maggots and sludge is all that’s left after a small hive beetle infestation. (ABC News: Will Murray) It costs hundreds of dollars at a time to send the remaining hive boxes to a specialist facility in Narangba to be sterilised. "Varroa is terrifying, but the pathogens it brings with it are also just as terrifying," he said. Beekeepers are calling for direct support or loans from the Queensland government, and significant investment in finding new treatments that work in the sunshine state. The state's agriculture minister has ruled out any relief payments. Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett says the government is not considering direct financial support for beekeepers. (ABC News: Jasmine Hines) Instead, Tony Perrett said the government remained focused on working with industry stakeholders and finding a way to treat to the resistant varroa mites. "I've written to [federal minister Julie Collins] seeking not only her department's attention and support with respect to this but also the APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority)," Mr Perrett said. He said an emergency roundtable will be held before the end of June to discuss potential solutions. Beekeeping industry experts met in Bundaberg to discuss ways to treat varroa mite. (ABC News: Tayla Larsen) At an industry meeting in Bundaberg, new varroa treatments were front of mind. Chief executive of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council Danny Le Feuvre said an emerging biochemistry technology, which uses double-stranded RNA to silence reproductive genes, looked promising, but was "not a silver bullet". "Of all the chemistry around the world, we have them available in Australia for our beekeepers, but we know it's still not enough," he said. "There is a lot of research happening, but it'll be in the longer term for that to get to market." Australian Honey Bee Industry Council chief executive Danny Le Feuvre says technology to combat varroa mite could take years to develop. (ABC News: Tayla Larsen) Varroa mite experts also warned the local horticulture industry that it would be next to feel the impact. Honey bees are responsible for much of the p

Beekeepers seek solutions as varroa mite destroys colonies

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