PHOTO: Gulargambone beekeeper Oliver Jordison is keeping a close eye on his honey bees following the recent detection of the hazardous varroa mite parasite in NSW bee hives.
By MARNIE RYAN
THE arrival in Australia of the biggest threat to honey bees worldwide, the varroa mite, has bee keepers distressed as more than 50 million bees have already been exterminated in a race to eradicate the deadly mite from Australian shores.
The mite was initially detected in surveillance hives at the Port of Newcastle, with control measures starting from 23 June.
The Varria destructor, commonly known as the varroa mite, is an external parasite that feeds on honey bees.
The parasites impact the growth of honey bees by feeding on them as larvae and pupae, further resulting in the deformation of the wings and bodies as they emerge as adult bees.
The parasite also spreads viruses that impact the bees’ ability to fly, collect food and be safely born from their cell.
Australia was the only continent free of the varroa mite parasite, with previous successful eradications taking place in Queensland and Victoria in previous years.
The varroa mite has been detected in regions including Wyong, Jerrys Plains, and Narrabri.
Gulargambone backyard beekeeper, 15 year old Oliver Jordison has his own hive collection called ‘Hey Honey’.
“I have two hives in the backyard at home which is only a small number considering how large other bee keeping professionals hives are,” he said.
Oliver sells his honey to close family and friends and to some stores in Coonamble. He is hoping to expand his back- yard business by next year.
“I am hoping to grow my bee hive population by next winter,” he said.
Oliver is particularly concerned about the varroa mite detections around the state and what it could mean for his hive if they are found.
“I am worried about the bees, however I am definitely more worried about my equipment being destroyed if the varroa mite spreads,” Oliver said.
“If the varroa mite is found I will have to destroy all of my boxes which is a lot of money and time wasted.”
Oliver has been researching and preparing in case the mite continues to spread throughout NSW.
“There are tests available like the powdered sugar and alcohol test that can both be used to separate and recover the mites from the bees,” he said.
Oliver’s mother Kylie Jordison said it is encouraging that the varroa mites uncovered in towns in the western region are all linked back to the Newcastle Port detection.
“They have been easy to detect so far and have been very traceable, which is promising news,” she said.
Mrs Jordison is hopeful that Oliver’s hives will remain organic, with emergency services and restrictions used to stop the spread of the varroa mite.
“His honey is fully natural with no additives or chemicals,” she said.
“You know exactly what you are getting and hopefully it can remain that way well into the future.
“Oliver loves his backyard bee keeping and, if the varroa mite does in fact spread, we will deal with it, but it does make it very difficult to do so.”
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) has sent two volunteers from the local brigade and five other volunteers from across the zone to Orange and Newcastle to help departmental staff and apiarists with controlling the varroa mite outbreak.
“The volunteers are driving with the NSW Department of Primary Industries to hives and helping out where they can,” said Vicki Hogland Operational Officer at the Coonamble RFS.
“The flooding and varroa mite crisis has RFS volunteers stretched right across the state”, she said.
Vicki is hopeful that with the help of emergency services like the RFS the varroa mite outbreak will be easily contained.
“Varroa mites pose a huge threat to the bee population, hopefully we can all help to get it back under control,” she said.
“The RFS will assist wherever possible and whenever needed.”
Two more volunteers headed to the Lower Hunter on Friday 22 July to continue this work.
A new detection of varroa mite was confirmed on Monday 25 July near Nana Glen north-west of Coffs Harbour, leading to another set of biosecurity zones.
The infested hives were located at a property that sits outside of the existing zones and brings the total number of infested premises (IPs) to 43.