Parasite threatens to halve Canberra’s bee population

Over a thousand beehives in Australia's capital, Canberra, have been wiped out by the Varroa mite, according to local biosecurity officers. The parasite has now spread across the territory and is predicted to cut the local bee population by half, but the experts are hopeful the bees will recover. It’s an alarming trend for local beekeepers. The Varroa mite was first detected in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) last April, and it’s believed to have affected about half of the area’s 6,000 beehives. “It reduces the health of the hive, so they can’t fight off wax moth or hive beetles,” says biosecurity officer Micah Wood. Around 1,000 hives have been completely destroyed. “We have Varroa across the whole territory. We have had it reported in every major suburb around ACT, in all the corners,” says Wood. Beekeepers can control the parasite once it enters their hives, but it requires constant attention. One method, known as a Varroa wash, uses methylated spirits to dislodge the mites so they can be counted. The ACT government’s biosecurity team is urging beekeepers to register so they can receive guidance on protecting their colonies. “If you’re not testing for Varroa, you will lose your hive,” says Wood. The decline in bee numbers is also expected to impact local crops. “So, your veggie garden and your fruit trees will be probably not be as productive, because there’s less pollinators around,” says Canberra Region Beekeepers’ Mark Paterson. The Varroa mite is predicted to reach every hive in the territory within 18 months and reduce the bee population by half, though it’s not expected to eliminate them entirely. Just know that in time the bees will emerge from this, stronger and better,” says Paterson. Experts say recovery will take time, but bees are likely to gradually develop resistance to the parasite. This article was provided by The Associated Press.