News & Events

Eyes in the apiary: external mite surveillance

17/04/2020 – 11:47 am Current world events have highlighted the level of management required for preventative biosecurity and, even more so, the difficulty of tracing and eradication once an incursion breaches the border. They have also illustrated the importance of an individual’s actions. When it comes to bee biosecurity, all beekeepers need to be vigilant to support the early […] Read more

It’s Sugar Shake Month!

03/04/2020 – 8:58 am April is Sugar Shake Month, a joint initiative between NSW DPI, Amateur Beekeepers Association NSW, NSW Apiarists Association and the National Bee Biosecurity Program to promote awareness and surveillance for exotic bee mites in Australia. During April, all beekeepers are encouraged to perform a sugar shake test and submit their results to the NSW DPI. […] Read more

NSW Bee Biosecurity Officer update

03/04/2020 – 8:30 am This update from NSW Bee Biosecurity Officer Rod Bourke gives an overview of his main activities since mid-2019. Exchanging mite experience with New Zealand In June-July 2019, I visited New Zealand to look at varroa in different beekeeping operations with Mark Page, the NSW DPI Bee Biosecurity Officer (Surveillance). We saw that you can run […] Read more

Victorian Bee Biosecurity Officer update

17/03/2020 – 2:44 pm At the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020, Victorian Bee Biosecurity Officer Ally Driessen focused on bee biosecurity and disease and pest risk mitigation through: Supporting beekeepers who have notified the department about pests, diseases and bee deaths. These are mostly cases of suspected American Foulbrood (AFB) and chalkbrood. Supporting councils (through the Apiary […] Read more

NSW beekeeping conditions

13/02/2020 – 9:22 am The Buzz with Rod Bourke Despite a reasonable spring, many parts of NSW are facing a tough outlook for the next 3-6 months. It is important to prepare your hives adequately now so that they can idle along with as little stress as possible. Ensure hives have a good store of honey (at least 15-20kg) […] Read more