Welcome to the QBA Varroa mite portal 

This portal has been specifically designed as an information portal to support industry during the response to Varroa destructor detected in the Port of Newcastle on the 22nd of June 2022.

Our Admin team will endeavour to publish updates relating to the incursion as frequently as physically possible. QBA members will continue to receive email updates via our dedicated communication channels.

If you are interested in supporting the QBA by becoming a member, please click here to complete your application for membership. Once you have completed your application and settled your membership invoice, you will be automatically added to our members communication list. 

To report varroa mite detections in Queensland 

Call: Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23

Varroa mite is on the march to Queensland

Learn to check your hives and report your testing activities to help us to detect the mite early and support industry through this next chapter of Australian beekeeping. 

Click here to visit the Varroa mite alert page to learn about the mite, how to test for the mite and report your testing activities. 

Click here to visit the QLD Varroa Surveillance Map

Click here to view the QLD Bee 123 Surveillance map

Transition to Management (T2M) Information 

On the 9th of February 2024, the National Management Group approved the transition to management plan (T2M) for the honey bee and pollination dependent industries. We encourage all beekeepers to learn more about the T2M process in Queensland. Click here to learn more. 

A detailed summary of the Transition to Management Plan has been released to industry. 

Click here to download the T2M plan


NSW DPI Varroa Heat Map

(click on the map icon to see the latest map of public varroa reports)

Varroa mite Treatments

(click on the table below to learn about chemical permits)

News & Updates

Please use the blog post below to access a time line of all communications relating to the varroa destructor detection and response. 

  • Varroa Mite Update 88 - Update from AHBIC No 20 (Q&A)

    20 March 2023 2:39 PM | Anonymous

    Dear Members, 

    Please see the attachment below which provides the latest update in relation to the national response to varroa from our National Industry body AHBIC. 

    AHBIC-Varroa-incursion-update-20.pdf

    Kind regards, 

    Jo Martin 

  • Varroa Mite Update 87 - Weekly Update from Biosecurity Queensland W/E 15/03/2023

    20 March 2023 2:34 PM | Anonymous

    Dear Members, 

    Please see the attachment below which provides the latest weekly update in relation to the response to varroa and operations within the Varroa Mite Prevention and Preparedness Program. 


    QBA Varroa Destructor Update to Members 15032023.pdf

    Kind regards, 

    Jo Martin 

  • Varroa Mite Update 86 - Weekly Update from Biosecurity Queensland W/E 09/03/2023

    16 March 2023 2:25 PM | Anonymous

    Dear Members, 

    Please see the attachment below which provides the latest weekly update in relation to the response to varroa and operations within the Varroa Mite Prevention and Preparedness Program. 


    QBA Varroa Destructor Update to Members 09032023.pdf

    Kind regards, 

    Jo Martin 

  • Varroa Mite Update 85 - New Detections in NSW

    14 March 2023 8:21 PM | Anonymous

    There have been 9 new infested premises confirmed from NSW DPI Surveillance through laboratory diagnostics. This brings the total Infested Premises to 131. The link below provides access to the update provided by AHBIC earlier this afternoon. 

    https://honeybee.org.au/ahbic-industry-update-19-265-days-of-response/

    These new detections serve as a timely reminder for all beekeepers to complete varroa mite surveillance now and report your findings to the Bee 123 portal or report your surveillance over the phone to 13 25 23.

    All the best, 

    Jo Martin. 


  • Varroa Mite Update 84 - Weekly Update from Biosecurity Queensland W/E 03/03/2023

    07 March 2023 5:31 PM | Anonymous

    Dear Members, 

    Please see the attachment below which provides the latest weekly update in relation to the response to varroa and operations within the Varroa Mite Prevention and Preparedness Program. 


    QBA Varroa Destructor Update to Members 03032023.pdf

    Should you have any questions in relation to this update, please email the QBA info@qbabees.org.au 

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

  • Varroa Mite Update 83 - Weekly Update from VMPPP (Biosecurity Queensland) W/E 23/02/2023

    27 February 2023 7:58 PM | Anonymous

    Dear Members, 

    Please find attached below the latest update from the Varroa Mite Prevention and Preparedness Program within Biosecurity Queensland for the week ending the 23/02/2023.

    QBA Varroa Destructor Update to Members 23022023.pdf

    With the latest detection of Varroa mite outside of the clustered emergency zones, we strongly encourage members to conduct varroa mite surveillance and report all results to the Bee 123 app. 

    More information on the Bee 123 app can be found within the update attached above. 

    Many thanks, 

    Jo Martin. 

  • Varroa Mite Update 82 - Weekly Update from Biosecurity Queensland W/E 17/02/2023

    20 February 2023 5:33 PM | Anonymous

    Dear Members, 

    Please find attached below the latest weekly update from the Varroa Mite Prevention and Preparedness Program within Biosecurity Queensland for the week ending 17 February 2023.

    QBA Varroa Destructor Update to Members 17022023.pdf

    Should you have any questions in relation to the update, please email me at info@qbabees.org.au. 

    Many thanks, 

    Jo Martin 

  • Varroa Mite Update 81 - New Detections in NSW - Update from AHBIC 19/02/2023

    19 February 2023 12:45 PM | Anonymous

    Please find below, the latest update from AHBIC relating to two new detections of varroa mite in NSW. The two new detections are located in the Taree and Wherool Flat regions, located approximately 130km north of Newcastle. 

    AHBIC Varroa incursion update 18.pdf

    We again ask that all apiarists complete varroa mite surveillance as a priority and report all results to the Bee 123 portal. The Bee 123 desktop portal can be accessed by clicking here. 

    The QBA will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with authorities in Queensland to provide practical consultation to the VMPPP team within Biosecurity Queensland. We will communicate updates relating to this matter as soon as additional information comes to hand. 

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary

  • Varroa Mite Update 80 - Weekly Update from the Biosecurity Qld VMPPP team W/E 09/02/2023

    17 February 2023 6:16 PM | Anonymous

    Please find the latest update from the Biosecurity Queensland Varroa Mite Prevention and Preparedness Program. This is the weekly update for the week ending 9 February 2023.

    QBA Varroa Destructor Update to Members 09022023.pdf

    We ask that you undertake varroa mite surveillance as a priority and report all surveillance activities to the Bee 123 portal. 

    For more information on the Bee 123 portal, please click here. 

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary


  • Varroa Mite Update 79 - Update from AHBIC

    17 February 2023 5:47 PM | Anonymous

    Please see the latest update from AHBIC in the link below relating to the addition of two new infested premises, bringing the new total of IP's to 114.

    AHBIC-Varroa-Incursion-update-17.pdf

    This update provides insight into the new detections and the management of wild colonies in the emergency zones. 

    Kind regards,

    Jo Martin 

    QBA State Secretary


Please click on the logo of the agencies/association below to access latest updates. 




Social Media Updates

Varroa mite Educational Videos 

What is Varroa mite? 

Varroa mite Surveillance & Monitoring Techniques

Monitoring for Varroa Explained

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Explained

Useful Resources for Additional Information 

Educational Information for all Beekeepers

Use the BeeAware website for educational information on varroa.

Use the Professional Beekeepers website for articles on varroa.
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