Mites in Oz.

[wayne]

  Just saw the news story about a feral swarm on a ship that had mites. As I understand things there is an effort underway to try and keep mites out of OZ. How is that going so far?

[Lone]

They are stepping up biosecurity a bit especially at some ports.  Beekeepers within 6km of certain ports are asked to maintain sentinel hives containing sticky mats. After a near miss this year with a poor extermination attempt, I think training is increased. Posters have been distributed. Naturally there is a shoestring budget they are working with.  I understand a few foreign swarms make it to the border each year.

I believe our resident varroa expert, Denis Anderson, is no longer at the CSIRO, but hopefully he will keep playing with them.

We will be picking all your expert brains if we are confronted with varroa in the future, but at the moment are just content to feel nauseated at the thought of it.

Lone