They might be small, but honey bees do a mighty job keeping our gardens blooming and our food growing. As island beekeepers begin rebuilding after devastating hive losses, there’s a tiny troublemaker we need to keep off our shores.
When it comes to protecting our island lifestyle, we tend to think about the big things. But sometimes, it’s the tiniest visitors that can cause the biggest headaches. For our local bees, that visitor is the varroa mite, a destructive parasite that poses a serious threat to honey bee colonies and the beekeeping industry.
Macleay Island beekeepers, Merran Lethbridge and Bev Broadbent are keen to spread the word, particularly as residents begin restocking their hives following devastating losses last season.
Their message is simple: be vigilant when buying and bringing new hives to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, and take every possible precaution to prevent varroa from arriving with them.
Before purchasing a hive, prospective beekeepers are encouraged to check its treatment history with the seller and ask what steps have been taken to manage varroa.
“While it may not always be possible to guarantee a hive is varroa free before transport, there are important steps beekeepers can take to reduce the risk,” Merran explains.
“It is imperative that beekeepers check a hive’s treatment history before purchase and inspect it for signs of varroa as soon as it arrives on the islands.”
Once introduced, varroa mites can spread between nearby honey bee colonies, making early detection and responsible hive management vital. Our island location offers a valuable advantage, with the water providing a natural barrier against bees travelling from the mainland. While bees can fly several kilometres in search of food, we have an opportunity to protect our relatively isolated bee populations by being vigilant about what comes across on the ferry.
And it’s not just beekeepers who have something to lose. Honey bees play an important role in pollinating many crops, helping produce the fruit and vegetables we enjoy. Healthy bee populations matter to our gardens, our food supply and the wider environment. Declining pollination can have consequences well beyond the hive, potentially affecting crop yields and the cost of fresh produce.
“Beekeeping is a fascinating and rewarding gift and the more you learn about bees, the more you realise just how much we depend on them,” Deb explained.
Bees are fascinating little creatures, and there’s much more to them than honey jars and the occasional sting. For Merran and Deb, raising awareness now is crucial. A honey bee colony is a remarkable, highly organised world, with a queen, worker bees and drones all playing their part. Add the different stages of a bee’s life, the flowering plants that provide their food and the benefits of bee friendly gardens, and there’s plenty to discover.
And not every bee lives in a hive or makes honey. Solitary bees have their own fascinating lifestyles and play an important role in pollination, too.
Whether you’re an experienced beekeeper, a keen gardener or simply someone who enjoys watching bees busy themselves among the flowers, protecting these little pollinators benefits us all.
So, if you’re planning to bring a hive across to the islands, ask the seller about its varroa treatment history before purchase, and arrange to inspect the hive for signs of varroa as soon as it arrives. Be sure to seek current advice on inspection methods and any applicable bee movement requirements before transporting bees or hive equipment.
Let’s keep our island bees buzzing, our gardens blooming and do everything we can to keep the varroa mite off our shores.
