Miticide used for varroa mite
The honey bee article this week is incorrect (PN586).
I am a registered beekeeper and I receive a weekly update from the Department of Primary Industry.
The current situation is: Yes, we are moving into management of the varroa mite, but we have been allowed to breed bees anywhere in the state, including the Peninsula, since the September 19 last year.
We have to report our mite counts every 16 weeks to the Department: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/biosecurity/current-situation/varroa-mite-emergency-response
About nine weeks ago, the Department came to my property in Umina and checked my bees for varroa mite.
The mite was present and they supplied me with Bayvarol treatment strips that I had to leave in the hive for seven weeks.
The miticide was supplied free for a short while after going to management, but the Department has stopped giving it away since January 24.
It's adding a lot of cost to beekeeping now.
For a 20 pack which treats five regular sized hives, it is $75 plus shipping.
We probably need to use it twice a year on each hive.
They also want us to switch to different treatments between treatments so the mite doesn't build up an immunity.
SOURCE:
Email, 29 Jan 2024
Brad Born, Umina