Key Takeaways
- The varroa mite is expected to wipe out half of the ACT’s 6,000 bee hives within two years, putting local fruit and vegetable crops at risk.
- The parasite has already been found in eight cases in the ACT, with five confirmed, and is expected to spread to all hives within two years.
- The loss of pollinators is expected to disrupt fruit and vegetable production for farmers and backyard vegetable patches alike.
- Beekeepers can use chemical or mechanical methods to help their hives survive the varroa mite, but it will be a challenging process.
- The bees are expected to eventually develop a resistance to the varroa mite, but it will take time and proper management.
Introduction to the Varroa Mite
The varroa mite is a fast-spreading parasite that attaches to honey bees, eventually killing the bees and their colonies. The ACT’s first infestation was found in a hive in Kowen in April this year, and since then, there have been eight reported cases, with five confirmed. The varroa mite is a significant threat to the local bee population, with predictions that it will be present in about half of the ACT’s hives within a year and spread to all hives within two years.
Impact on Local Food Production
The widespread loss of pollinators in the ACT is expected to disrupt fruit and vegetable production for farmers and backyard vegetable patches alike. Canberra Regional Beekeepers Association President, Mark Paterson, has experience with the varroa mite from his time in California and warns that the population of managed hives in Canberra will drop significantly once the varroa mite is established. This will have a direct impact on the amount of produce available at farmers markets or from local providers. The varroa mite will also affect backyard vegetable patches and fruit trees, yielding little or producing deformed fruit for several years.
Managing the Varroa Mite
Beekeepers can use chemical or mechanical methods to help their hives survive the varroa mite. ACT Biosecurity Engagement Officer, Micah Wood, urges beekeepers to register their hives with the government so biosecurity officials can provide them with information on how to keep their hives healthy. Mr. Wood recommends checking hives once a month or more, as the varroa mite can devastate a hive within two to three months if left untreated. He also warns that beekeepers who do not know what they are doing will probably lose their hives.
Long-term Projections
Despite the challenges posed by the varroa mite, there is hope for the long-term survival of the bee population. Mark Paterson believes that the bees will eventually develop a resistance to the varroa mite, but it will take time and proper management. He predicts that the population of managed hives in Canberra will drop significantly once the varroa mite is established, but will eventually plateau and then slowly start to build back up. This process is expected to take around five years, during which time the bees will develop a resistance to the varroa mite.
Conclusion
The varroa mite is a significant threat to the local bee population, and its impact will be felt throughout the community. The loss of pollinators will disrupt fruit and vegetable production, affecting not only farmers but also backyard vegetable patches and fruit trees. However, with proper management and care, beekeepers can help their hives survive the varroa mite, and the bees will eventually develop a resistance to the parasite. It will be a challenging process, but with time and effort, the bee population can recover and thrive once again.