Varroa Update

The total number of infected premises across NSW has risen to 396. The heat map has had some gradual increases across southwestern Sydney, Central Coast, North of the Hunter and also in the Kempsey region.

In some instances, the heat map has extended beyond the known Varroa management zones. Stay up to date with the risks of Varroa near you by checking the heat map.

NSW DPI are still supplying chemical treatments, but have stated that this arrangement will be phased out soon. The ability for NSW beekeepers to purchase chemical treatments from retail suppliers is gradually increasing as stocks begin to arrive in the country.

Monitoring hives & Reporting results

Beekeepers looking for information on alcohol wash method and equipment details can visit either this Rod Bourke Bee Biosecurity Officer VIDEO , the NSW DPI Varroa webpage or the BEE PEST BLITZ website where all state jurisdiction reporting lines are listed.

Beekeepers are reminded at the very least, complete your monitoring and report every 16 weeks. If you detect more than 6 Varroa mites, you must treat all the hives at the premises using a method approved by the APVMA, complying with all label directions and permit conditions no later than 14 days after the date on which Varroa mite is detected.

It is critical that beekeepers then perform mite monitoring as soon as practicable after treatment application to determine efficacy of treatment. It is our collective goal as beekeepers to keep our bees healthy so that our hives do not become overrun with mites, this is why monitoring for mites will be at the forefront of management of Varroa.

Treatment Registration Progress

AHBIC has been working with NSW DPI and the APVMA as well many manufactures to progress as many management tools for registration as possible.  Whilst we do not have visibility on all applications submitted, through conversations with manufactures and resellers we are aware of a number of registration applications that have either been submitted or are close to submission, this includes:

• Bayvarol
• Oxalic Acid (fogging and dribble)
• Formic Pro
• A number of Oxalic Acid strip products
• BeeGate
• Apitraz
• A formic acid + Oxalic Acid mix in a dribble form

Processing applications through APVMA is a slow process and typically takes 8-9 months, if the application is complete on submission.  After lobbying from AHBIC, the APVMA has agreed to prioritise any Varroa registrations but the process will still take 6 months at best. AHBIC will continue to encourage manufactures to submit registration applications ensuring beekeepers have as many options for management as possible.

Chemical Treatment Table

 

AHBIC, its employees, executive and consultants expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person in respect of anything, and the consequences of anything, done or omitted to be done in reliance, whether wholly, partly, upon the whole or any part of the contents of this industry update document. 

You can reach out to AHBIC via:

Varroa Coordinator

Bianca Giggins

bianca@honeybee.org.au

0402 467 780