15/05/2026
A bit of a long post but am sharing to help others and to generate conversation.
For those who do not know me or my family, we are second generation beekeepers and I now run 1500 hives in southeast Queensland. I have worked as a beekeeper in Canada, England, and other places worldwide with Varroa.
As we all are at the moment, I've been having extensive conversations with many beekeepers in a 400km radius around SEQ, talking losses and ideas.
I've recently lost 140 of 160 hives in one area near Purga. It came through like a wave and they were dead in a week. All full and on a flow. They had been treated and the numbers of varroa were under control.
I believe one of the biggest factors affecting the bees right now across SEQ is viruses. The varroa mite is a major issue but not the only problem. We need to pay more attention to the viruses that come when colonies are weakened (see yesterday's post). The varroa could be acting as a vector for the infection of bees with viruses that previously were latent or manageable by the colony. This influx of other pests and viruses seem to be causing quick and catastrophic loss. In many cases this seems to be causing the collapse of the hive - no matter how strong or healthy it was. No amount of oxalic va**ng, strips, or other technique will save the hive once the viruses spread and the bees are infected.
A heavily varroa-laden hive can limp along for a long time; one with a virus is done over fast. And the result is dead bees. All that is left is a queen, a box of honey and brood. The dead bees look like they have been sprayed - which is typically bees with tongues out and dead in piles.
Viruses include Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV), Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV), and Chronic Bee Paralysis & Virus Slow Bee Paralysis
Everyone is doing their best but I ask that AHBIC consider requesting the following of government:
*An Australian virus panel as in NZ
*The set up of a lab so beekeepers can send bees for analysis of what viruses are present and where. Thus allowing in real time adjustments to diet, treatments, and operational regimes. It will allow for the establishment of a body of knowledge which could lead to new research for the originating of novel treatments for viruses. Not just varroa. The reports from the labs need to state not just the type, but most importantly, the levels and if the types are raising or falling. Not just an indication.
Where we are at:
*Keep controlling the mites as best you can. There is no magic pill or vaccine…yet.
*An AFB-style of management is required to control the viruses.
*Research presented in American bee journal has shown on average 30 pathogens exist in average super alone
*Keep bee nutrition up.
*Keep record keeping up.
*Sterilisation of dead bee gear at Steritech, industrial cleaning products for vehicles, trucks, extraction sheds, and shed wash down to lower virus load and presence. Beekeepers must sterilise all dead out boxes, gear before re-establishing. Beekeepers must wash everything and treat everything as infected with virus load. Cleaning bee gear, cars, gloves, hive tools, no transfer of bees between yards. Smokers, hive tools, etc., must be cleaned.
*Anecdotally, oxalic vap may help as it also kills bad bacteria in the hive. But it would therefore also knock good bacteria.
*Please write to your local state and federal member.
I ask you comment away between each other in a constructive way. Welcome back to the 90s AFB outbreaks. Stay safe out there!
