Varroa mite – current situation

Updated 1 November 2024

Varroa detection in Victoria

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed Varroa mite has been detected in a second apiary in Victoria  at Hattah.

The infested apiary was self reported to Agriculture Victoria by the beekeeper, who was undertaking regular in-hive pest and disease surveillance.

With Varroa mite established in New South Wales and measures in place to slow the spread nationally, further detections are expected despite the additional health certification requirements in place for bees, bee products and beekeeping equipment to be able to enter Victoria.

In line with the National Varroa Mite Response Plan, Agriculture Victoria is working closely with beekeepers to minimise the impacts on beehives in the apiary.

A team of 12 Varroa Development Officers have been recruited in Victoria under the National Varroa Mite Response Plan and providing guidance directly to beekeepers on how to manage Varroa mite and appropriately utilise the chemical control options available.

There are also Varroa management training workshops occurring now across Victoria for both commercial and recreational beekeepers which cover monitoring and threshold surveillance actions, integrated pest management techniques, record-keeping, and chemical treatments, including organic options. Visit https://ticketing.humanitix.com/tours/varroa-management-training to find a workshop near you.

Beekeepers with concerns can contact our Victorian Varroa Development Officers by email at Victorian.VDO@agriculture.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 958 485.

All beekeepers in Victoria are urged to check their hives and record their inspections, mite testing results and hive movements in BeeMAX.

Transition to management

Following the National Management Group meeting on 19 September 2023, the Victorian Government will join other Australian states, territories and industries in transitioning from eradication to management of Varroa destructor.

With active contribution from industry and government stakeholders, a National Varroa Mite Transition to Management Plan was developed by the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP), this plan was finalised by the National Management Group on 13 February 2024.  The plan has a strong focus on education and engagement activities to help build industry resilience and contains measures aimed at slowing the spread of the pest.

Agriculture Victoria will provide more detailed information about what this means for Victorian beekeepers and affected industry parties in the coming weeks, this page will continue to be updated as activities under the Transition to Management Plan progress.

Moving hives into Victoria

The control area order requiring a permit for all movements of bees and bee products into Victoria remains in place.

Victoria will be allowing the entry of bees, hives and equipment from all states, utilising our permit system, provided beekeepers test, report and are free of Varroa mite. This will enable essential horticultural activities like the almond pollination season to continue, while slowing the spread of Varroa mite.

For more information head to the:

• Beekeeper permits page
• Moving bees interstate page; or the
• Varroa mite – frequently asked questions page

Victorian control area order

A control area order remains in place for the state of Victoria.

Read the current Victorian control area order.

It is every beekeeper’s responsibility to ensure they are up to date with current movement requirements before moving their bees and related items.

The control area order continues to require permits for:

• movement of bees, hives, queen bees
• used beekeeping equipment
• pollen for bee feeding
• or bee products (including honeycomb) from all other states and territories into Victoria.

Current information on which products are permitted entry to Victoria including associated permit requirements is available at Beekeeper permits.

Information on health certificate requirements is available at Moving bees interstate. Note: Health certificates are still required for all hives and products in addition to the permit.

Permit holder requirements

Beekeepers who have moved hives under permit must continue to follow the requirements of the permit and control area order by

• reporting any bee movements to Agriculture Victoria
• regularly testing for Varroa and recording test results.

Use BeeMAX to share/report test results or send an email to honeybee.permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Existing SEZ permit holders are reminded in order to meet their permit obligations any onward movements and results of 16-week alcohol wash tests must be reported.

If you have questions regarding hives currently or previously in this zone please contact honeybee.permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

More information

If you require any assistance with your permit application, please email Honeybee.Permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au or phone the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.