Varroa mite response shifts to wild European honey bee management in Narrabri
7 Dec 2022
The fight to keep NSW Varroa mite free shifts to a new phase this week with the commencement of the program to euthanise wild European honey bees in the red eradication zone area of Narrabri.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Chief Plant Protection Officer Dr Satendra Kumar said ensuring wild European honey bees are removed from the red eradication zone is the next significant step as 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 tree hollows and other enclosed spaces,” said Dr Kumar.
“Removing these bees from the environment of red eradication zones is necessary to reduce any chance of the Varroa mite parasite existing undetected within wild hives.”
Dr Kumar said the baiting program has been developed to include strict guidelines to protect and ensure the safety of all people, 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.
“The bait stations are designed to exclude other animals and insects, and to prevent contamination of soil and water.
“Bait stations will remain in place for up to 12 months, but only in active use with insecticide for very short periods of time, to a maximum of 3 hours each session.
“During active use, bait stations will be monitored by trained staff, to minimise the risk of off-target impacts. Experience to date has shown zero feeding in stations by off target species.
"Bait stations are placed at least 2 kms away from the edges 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 red eradication emergency zones 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 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.
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