Varroa mite response shifts to wild European honey bee management in Calga, Somersby and Wyong
7 Dec 2022
Efforts to keep NSW Varroa mite free shifts to the next phase with the commencement of a program to euthanise wild European honey bees in the Varroa Mite Eradication Emergency Zone established in the Calga, Somersby and Wyong areas in the Central Coast region.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Chief Plant Protection Officer, Dr Satendra Kumar said ensuring wild European honey bees are removed from the Varroa Mite Eradication Zone is an important part of the National Varroa Mite Response plan.
“Wild European honey bees, which are the same species as honey bees kept in managed hives, build their nests in areas like tree hollows, building cavities and other enclosed spaces,” said Dr Kumar.
“Removing wild European honey bees from the environment of red eradication zones is necessary to reduce any chance of the Varroa mite parasite existing undetected within wild European honey bee hives.”
Dr Kumar said the baiting program has been developed to include strict guidelines to protect and ensure the safety of people in the community, animals, livestock and the local environment.
“NSW DPI has been authorised by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to use fipronil to remove wild European honey bees using specialised European honey bee bait stations.
“The bait stations are designed to exclude non-target animals and insects, and to prevent contamination of soil and water.
“Bait stations will remain in place for at least 12 months, but will only be in active use with fipronil insecticide for short periods of time, to a maximum of 3 hours.
“During active use, bait stations will be monitored by trained staff, to minimise the risk of off-target impacts.
"Bait stations are placed at least 2 km away from the edge of the red eradication emergency zones to reduce the risk of European honey bees from outside the eradication zone interacting with the bait stations.”
Registered beekeepers in Varroa Mite Eradication Emergency Zone whose hives have been euthanised continue to be eligible for compensation.
Commercial registered beekeepers in the purple surveillance emergency zone are also now eligible for reimbursement.
“In line with the program guidelines set by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, only registered beekeepers will be eligible for reimbursement, so I strongly encourage any beekeepers in those zones to make sure they’re a registered beekeeper in NSW,” Dr Kumar said.
Planning and preparation of the baiting program has been conducted by NSW DPI in consultation with the Environment Protection Authority, Local Land Services (LLS) and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
NSW DPI has also worked closely with industry representatives of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, NSW Apiarists’ Association, Amateur Beekeepers Australia and the Australian Native Bee Association.
More information
Media contact: (02) 6391 3686
