Queensland sees its first detections of Varroa destructor
On 3 March 2025, Varroa destructor was confirmed in a recreational apiary in the Lockyer Valley. Since this time, multiple apiary sites in the Lockyer Valley Regional, Somerset Regional and Brisbane City Council areas have reported varroa mite. To date, no exotic bee pests or viruses have been found.
The area of infestation can be seen on the varroa mite surveillance map.
Beekeepers who have received bees, beehives or beekeeping equipment from the Lockyer Valley or Somerset Regional Councils since December 2024 are advised to check their hives as soon as practicable and report results to Bee 123, even if no mites are found.
Anyone finding varroa mite in their hives must report it to Biosecurity Queensland. You can report varroa mite:
- using the online Bee 123 form (preferred)
- calling Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23
- emailing varroa@daf.qld.gov.au
We thank those beekeepers who have reported and continue to report varroa mite in their hives. We also thank those beekeepers who are reporting negative results for varroa mite. We are seeing our best submission numbers ever! Reporting varroa mite presence and absence is vitally important as it gives everyone clarity of the pest’s distribution throughout Queensland.
It’s important all Queensland beekeepers are aware they have a general biosecurity obligation to report varroa mite and manage the risk posed to the broader beekeeping industry. For example, if varroa mite is found above the threshold level, hives should not be moved. Instead, you should implement an integrated pest management regime. See Monitoring — National Varroa Mite Management Program.
Now that varroa mite is in Queensland, regulatory changes have come into effect:
- Varroa destructor has been delisted as prohibited matter from Schedule 1 of the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014 (the Act). As this species is now present in Queensland and cannot be contained or eradicated, it no longer meets the definition of prohibited matter under the Act. Even though Varroa destructor is no longer prohibited matter, it remains notifiable. Anyone finding varroa mite in their hives must report it to Biosecurity Queensland. Varroa jacobsoni remains listed as prohibited matter in Queensland.
- Queensland is now accepting live bees from varroa mite infested jurisdictions on a case-by-case basis. Any beekeeper wanting to move bees and hives into Queensland from an infested jurisdiction will need to apply for a biosecurity instrument permit and satisfy the conditions listed in the application. These conditions include but are not limited to:
- negative varroa mite test results within 14 days prior to entry into Queensland
- records of a treatment or management regime for the previous 12-month period
- completion of the Biosecurity for beekeepers BOLT course
- keeping hives at a pre-determined location for 3 months post arrival in Queensland
- post arrival testing every 6 weeks for 6 months from date of entry.
You can move bees into the biosecurity zone from states or territories declared free from varroa mite, provided the hives are secured in a manner that prevents bees from escaping or entering hives while in transit.
Biosecurity Queensland and varroa development officers will continue to work in partnership with beekeepers and other stakeholders to slow the spread of varroa mite in Queensland.