DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Economy & Trade

Beekeepers plead for better access to varroa mite treatments

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Australian beekeepers are seeking better access to organic treatments for varroa mites.
  • The varroa mite, a major parasite, was discovered in SA in September 2025, impacting honey bee larvae and causing malformations.
  • Beekeepers warn that a lack of effective treatments and the high cost of alternatives threaten the agricultural sector, which relies on bee pollination for billions of dollars in crops.

Beekeepers in South Australia are urgently calling for improved access to organic treatments against the varroa mite, a parasite first detected in the state in September 2025. This tiny, red mite is considered the "world's worst" honey bee parasite, feeding on larvae and pupae and causing significant malformations in bees.

We can make it for a fraction of the price of what we've got to buy it for.

— Ian CassExplaining the cost-saving benefits of mixing his own organic varroa mite treatments.

Ian Cass, a beekeeper managing 400 hives, highlighted the financial strain, noting that he makes his own organic treatments to avoid prohibitive costs. Current regulations permit only one annual use of organic treatments, even homemade ones. Cass explained that while these treatments require careful handling, including gas masks, they are far cheaper than commercial alternatives. "Even if you were allowed to use [commercial organic treatments] more than once a year, we're looking at 10-plus dollars a treatment," he said, emphasizing the cumulative cost for beekeepers.

You've got to use organic treatments very safely; you have to wear gas masks, but do it right and it's a fraction of the cost, which is the thing that kills us.

— Ian CassDescribing the safety precautions and cost-effectiveness of organic varroa mite treatments.

The situation is exacerbated by bees in Queensland and New South Wales developing resistance to synthetic treatments. Cass warned of broader economic consequences, stating that billions of dollars in agriculture depend on bee pollination. "What happens if we lose our honey bees?" he questioned, pointing out that the cost of staple goods could rise significantly if crops fail due to lack of pollination.

Even if you were allowed to use [commercial organic treatments] more than once a year, we're looking at 10-plus dollars a treatment.

— Ian CassHighlighting the prohibitive cost of commercial organic treatments for his 400 hives.

Danny Le Feuvre, CEO of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, acknowledged the immense stakes. He noted that growers in infested states are spending millions to import bees from unaffected regions like Western Australia. Varroa mite has spread across multiple Australian states since its initial detection in June 2022, posing a significant threat to both the honey industry and the wider agricultural economy.

What happens if we lose our honey bees?

— Ian CassRaising concerns about the potential collapse of the agricultural sector without bee pollination.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog