Varroa mite - frequently asked questions

Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a serious, exotic parasite of adult European honey bees and their brood. It weakens and kills honey bee colonies and can also transmit honeybee viruses.

Varroa destructor, is a distinctive-looking small mite, around 1 mm in diameter.

Mites are easily identifiable to the naked eye and are a reddish-brown colour.

Detailed descriptions are available on the About Varroa mite of honey bees page.

The mites are very mobile and readily transfer between adult bees.

Varroa mites spread between colonies and apiaries when hive components, infested brood and adult bees are interchanged during normal apiary management practices.

The transport of hives, used beekeeping equipment and queen bees by beekeepers is also a very effective means of spread. In Australia, the spread of Varroa mite is expected to be fast over long distances because of the migratory nature of the beekeeping industry.

Foraging and drifting bees and swarms can also spread Varroa mite. In the case of foragers, mites can move from the bee to a flower and then hitch a ride with another bee or insect visiting the same flower.

The National Management Group has agreed that the eradication of Varroa mite is no longer technically feasible; we now need to work collaboratively to manage and minimise its impact.

Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) was reported in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle in New South Wales (NSW) on Friday 24 June 2022.  The detection was the result of routine surveillance on sentinel hives by NSW Bee Biosecurity Officers.

Varroa mite has since been detected at multiple sites across NSW. Situation updates are available on our Varroa mite – current situation web page.

Varroa mite is not currently present in Victoria.

Agriculture Victoria is working with the apiary industry and interstate counterparts to respond to the Varroa mite outbreak in NSW.

Beekeepers are being asked to stay informed of the biosecurity zones, report hives, check their hives (including completing and recording alcohol washes), and report any unusual signs.

Restrictions on beehive movements are now in place across NSW and in adjoining states and territories.

Read more on the NSW Department of Primary Industries website.

Following the National Management Group meeting on 19 September, the Victorian Government will join other Australian states and territories and transition from eradication to management of Varroa destructor. The Victorian response will be consistent with the agreed national Transition to Management Plan that is being developed.

Agriculture Victoria is working with key beekeeping industry bodies and interstate agencies to ensure appropriate and consistent responses.

Agriculture Victoria has established biosecurity measures to reduce the likelihood of spread of Varroa mite.

These measures will remain in place during the interim period while the Transition to Management plan is developed. This will ensure that we slow the spread of Varroa mite into Victoria

This includes requiring permits for any movement of bees, hives, used beekeeping equipment and bee products from interstate, except New South Wales (NSW).

A temporary pause is in place on the processing of permits for hive and bee movements from NSW while the risks associated with the recent detections are assessed.

Victoria is continuing to assess the risks associated with any movements to support the issuing of movement permits.

For the latest control measures visit the ‘Varroa mite – current situation’ page on this website.

Bees are vital pollinators for many agricultural and horticultural crops. Starting in July each year there is a mass movement of hives from Queensland (QLD), NSW, South Australia (SA) and within Victoria to the Sunraysia region for the almond pollination season.

Through the Transition to Management program, Agriculture Victoria will work with industry and government partners to implement strategies to reduce the impacts to our industries.

As of 30 August Agriculture Victoria will allow the movement of beehives and equipment out of the former Victorian Surveillance Emergency Zones (SEZ).

Movements from the former Victorian part of the SEZs can only be done under permit issued in accordance with the Victorian Control Area Order.

The decision to allow the movement of hives from the former SEZ is due to urgent concerns regarding bee health due to a lack of floral resources, and was made in consultation with other affected government and industry parties to ensure alignment with the National Varroa Mite Response Plan.

Beekeepers intending to move their hives or beekeeping equipment must apply and obtain a permit online before any movement occurs. Beekeepers will be required to identify the hives’ current location and intended destination via the online application and continue to report movements in line with permit conditions. Current permit holders (4A, 4B, 4C) will be required to apply for and be issued with a variation to their permit prior to any movement. Beekeepers without a current permit need to apply for a permit in alignment with their barrier system/s to exit the former SEZs.

Following the provision of a permit or permit variation, hives from within the former SEZ can be moved anywhere in Victoria, or interstate (subject to the receiving state’s import requirements), provided beekeepers undertake compulsory alcohol washing at the higher rate of 64 hives per apiary, or 10% of hives for apiaries with more than 640 hives, within 7 days of movement and report the results in BeeMAX or to honeybee.permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Under the new permit or permit variation, beekeepers are required to meet the following obligations:

1. Conducting alcohol washes, at the required rates, upon arrival at the new destination and report the results to Agriculture Victoria via BeeMAX https://bees.agriculture.vic.gov.au/ or send results to honeybee.permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au

2. Maintaining a Barrier System for hives listed on the permit. This means running the hives listed on the permit as a distinct sub-unit with;

(a) clear, permanent marking and identification of hives, components and appliances within the sub-unit. (Will be required to describe and provide photographic evidence of the markings); and

(b) procedures (including appropriate controls), to prevent non-permitted interchange of hives, components and appliances between sub-units; and

(c) training and instructions for all employees; and

(d) documentation to enable the tracing and identification of hive components, honey and honeycomb to identifiable sub-units.

3. All hives within the Barrier System must be subject to ongoing testing and surveillance for mites Complete alcohol wash tests at the specified rates and record results in BeeMAX. Rates will be:

(a) at least once in every 16-week period, complete an alcohol wash on the hives and any bees housed in those hives as follows:

(i) for less than 64 hives – alcohol wash all hives; or

(ii) for more than 64 hives but less than 640 hives – alcohol wash 64 hives; or

(iii) for more than 640 hives – alcohol wash of 10% of hives; and

(b) For more than 64 hives, hives requiring mite inspection should be selected at random and tested on rotation within the Barrier System; and

(c) Any hives that have had testing and surveillance for mites and found free of Varroa mite must be identified by marking with a permanent or paint marker on the hive lid with the mite check date and method that was used.

Record all hive movements, including the initial movement, in BeeMAX or send movements to honeybee.permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au for traceability for the duration listed on the permit.

Registered beekeepers can apply for a permit on the Beekeeper permits page.

Upon submitting your application an Authorised Officer will assess the application.  Approved applications will be signed and you will be sent a copy of the permit.

A copy of the permit must travel with the items/load listed on the permit and copies of permits and records must be kept for the timeframe specified on the permit.

A reminder that existing certification requirements for moving bees, hives, used beekeeping equipment and bee products into Victoria still apply. For information about health certificate, see Moving bees interstate.

An application for a permit can also be made through the Customer Contact Centre on 136 186 or email honeybee.permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Yes, Victorian registered beekeepers may apply for a permit to move hives from the former NSW General Emergency (blue) Zone into Victoria from Monday 23 January.

There are two types of permits available to Victorian registered beekeepers.

1. A single movement (once-off) return to Victoria permit applicable to those beekeepers wishing to return home and likely remain in Victoria for the next 12 months
2. A multiple entry permit. The multiple entry permit is applicable to beekeepers who may live along the border or whose business is reliant on regular access to sites in both NSW and Victoria.

Evidence of current Victorian registration must pre-date Jan 16th 2023 i.e. a beekeeper can’t apply for a new Victorian registration in order to be eligible for the permit.

Permit applicants are advised that any hives with NSW contact, will be required to be managed as per permit requirements up to 24 months post entry into Victoria.

Hives must not have spent any time since January 1 2021 in any area of NSW formerly declared a Varroa mite eradication emergency (red) zone (EEZ) or Varroa mite surveillance emergency (purple) zone (SEZ).

Before applying, beekeepers should ensure they are able to fulfil their permit obligations. These are specified on the permit but will include the need to:

• Maintain a barrier system for hives listed on the permit. This means running the hives listed on the permit as a distinct sub-unit with;
  • (a) clear, permanent marking and identification of hives, components and appliances within the sub-unit. (Will be required to describe and provide photographic evidence of the markings)
  • (b) procedures (including appropriate controls), to prevent non-permitted interchange of hives, components and appliances between sub-units
  • (c) training and instructions for all employees
  • (d) documentation to enable the tracing and identification of hive components, honey and honeycomb to identifiable sub-units.
• Complete alcohol wash tests at the specified rates (rates identical to NSW requirements) and record results in BeeMax. Rates will be:
  • at least once in every 16-week period, complete an alcohol wash on the hives and any bees housed in those hives as follows:
    • for less than 64 hives – alcohol wash all hives, or
    • for more than 64 hives but less than 640 hives – alcohol wash 64 hives, or
    • for more than 640 hives – alcohol wash of 10% of hives; and
  • For more than 64 hives, hives requiring mite inspection should be selected at random and tested on rotation within the Barrier System; and
  • Any hives that have had testing and surveillance for mites and found free of Varroa mite must be identified by marking with a permanent or paint marker on the hive lid with the mite check date and method that was used.
• Record all hive movements, including the initial movement, in BeeMax for traceability
• Secure and cover loads of hives described on the permit during transit
• Declare that hives must not have spent any time since January 1 2021 in any area of NSW formely declared a Varroa mite eradication emergency (red) zone (EEZ) or Varroa mite surveillance emergency (purple) zone (SEZ).

Temporary pause on beekeeping permits for movements from NSW

A temporary pause is now in place on the processing of permits for hive and bee movements from New South Wales (NSW) while the risks associated with the recent detections in the former NSW General Emergency Zone (GEZ) are assessed.

• Permits will not be granted for bees (including queens, queen cells, bee colonies) and hives from NSW.
• Permits to move beekeeping equipment and honey supers into Victoria from NSW will be considered under the ‘Additional apiary movement permit’ (see below).

Items that do not require a permit are drone semen, processed honey, processed wax and propolis for human consumption. These items will still require a health certificate.

The form and more information about this can be found on our ‘Moving bees interstate’ web page.

Hives must not have spent any time since January 1 2021 in any area of NSW formely declared a Varroa mite eradication emergency (red) zone (EEZ) or Varroa mite surveillance emergency (purple) zone (SEZ).

Before applying, beekeepers should ensure they are able to fulfil their permit obligations. These are specified on the permit but will include the need to:

• Manage hives by load as listed on the permit. This means running the hives listed on the permit as a distinct sub-unit with;
  • (a) clear, permanent marking and identification of hives, components and appliances within the sub-unit. (Will be required to describe and provide photographic evidence of the markings)
  • (b) procedures (including appropriate controls), to prevent non-permitted interchange of hives, components and appliances between sub-units
  • (c) training and instructions for all employees
  • (d) documentation to enable the tracing and identification of hive components, honey and honeycomb to identifiable sub-units
  • (e) hives, components and appliances listed under the permit must not be split, sold, given away or disposed of within Victoria without notification to honeybee.permits@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
• Complete alcohol wash tests at the specified rates within 14 days prior to the movement into Victoria. Rates will be:
  • for less than 64 hives – alcohol wash all hives, or
  • for more than 64 hives but less than 640 hives – alcohol wash 64 hives, or
  • for more than 640 hives – alcohol wash of 10% of hives; and
  • Any hives that have had testing and surveillance for mites and found free of Varroa mite must be identified by marking with a permanent or paint marker on the hive lid with the mite check date and method that was used
• Register an account and record all hive movements in BeeMax for traceability
• Secure and cover loads of hives described on the permit during transit.

Victoria is maintaining a cautious and staged approach to ensure that biosecurity risk can be appropriately managed.

Victoria will reassess restrictions on the movement of hives, queens, bee products and used fittings into Victoria as the situation evolves and the risks decrease.

Agriculture Victoria is working closely with counterparts in NSW and other states to ensure permit systems are appropriate for the current risks.

The State Quarantine Response Team is extremely valuable to Agriculture Victoria, the beekeeping industry and the agriculture sector as it provides a large pool of trained in-hive surveillance experts, who are confident in handling bees, and ready to be called on as part of a honeybee response.

SQRT members conduct in-hive surveillance and participate in the government’s preparedness and response to biosecurity incursions such as Varroa mite.

Agriculture Victoria’s SQRT members work alongside authorised biosecurity officers in field teams to conduct in-hive surveillance.

Being part of the SQRT is a partnership between Agriculture Victoria and the Victorian honeybee industry. The program was created in Victoria and is now being implemented in other states across Australia.

If you are experienced in beekeeping and want to join the SQRT team, you will be required to complete the Victorian Honeybee SQRT Training course. The self-paced e-Learning course will inform you of the expectations required of you as a SQRT team member to actively participate in a response effectively. Sign up here: learning.agriculture.vic.gov.au

This link will take you directly to the course via a ‘Sign Up’ form.

When signing up, you must select “I need to access honeybee preparedness training” in the section “Why are you here”. The training will then appear directly in your Dashboard and Goal Centre.

If you have any problems accessing the training please email honeybee.biosecurity@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Yes, SQRT positions are paid to support Agriculture Victoria’s surveillance team when they are deployed.

When you apply you’ll be requested to complete some ‘employee’ paperwork, such as a police check, providing your COVID certificate, a pre-employment form, WorkSafe, etc.

Completing this employment paperwork as fast as possible is imperative to ensure you are ready to go and can be deployed.

There are currently 181 fully trained SQRT members. Additional beekeepers are currently undergoing training to boost SQRT numbers in response to the Varroa mite incursion in NSW.

For further information on being part of the SQRT team contact: Honeybee.Biosecurity@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

For anyone who is not part of the SQRT program, you can be involved in early detection of an incursion of varroa mite by conducting mite testing and reporting your findings. Remember, recording negative results is important.

When you conduct your drone uncapping, and either a sugar shake, or alcohol wash record your results in BeeMAX. This will not only help make improvements in your recording keeping but also provides confidence Victoria remains free of Varroa.

And remember, if you see anything suspicious (like varroa mite or braula fly) please call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 immediately.