Owners of native stingless bee hives in parts of the Central Coast have been warned to consider moving them, with a toxic pesticide set to be released to eradicate Varroa Mites.
The pesticide will be used in areas classed as Red Zones, including Wyong, Somersby, Calga, Kariong, Wondabyne, Spencer and Bar Point.
“If you have a hive of native stingless bees in a Red Zone, you need to take action now,” Chair of the Australian Native Bee Association (ANBA) Varroa Response Subcommittee, Dr Anne Dollin, said.
“Your bees could soon be exposed to a very toxic pesticide, so you need to consider moving them to a safe location.”
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is about to begin using Fipronil to eradicate Varroa Mites within the Red Zones on the Central Coast.
As a result, native stingless bees within these areas will be at risk of poisoning for up to three years.
The DPI program aims to destroy feral nests of European honeybees in the Red Zones, as these nests may harbour the devastating Varroa Mite.
Strict protocols are in place to prevent native insects, reptiles, birds and mammals from accessing the Fipronil-laced sugar syrup in the DPI baiting stations.
However, the feral European honeybee nests that are killed by the baiting will contain Fipronil-contaminated honey, and this could attract native stingless bees.
The honey in the feral nests may continue to be toxic to native stingless bees for up to three years.
The ANBA has launched a rescue program to help owners who do not have a safe place to take their hives which can be accessed via https://www.anba.org.au/varroa-response.
“The aim of our Australian Native Bee Association campaign is to help people move their stingless bees out of the Red Zones and keep the bees safe and strong,” Dollin said.
“Afterwards, when the hives are brought back, they will help repopulate the Red Zone areas.”
To read the DPI’s advice for people who keep native stingless bees in the Red Zones, visit: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/biosecurity/current-situation/varroa-mite-emergency-response/wild-european-honey-bee-management.
A map outlining Red Zones is available at:https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/biosecurity/current-situation/varroa-mite-emergency-response.
Source:
Media release, Nov 22
Australian Native Bee Association
Terrific. Just tried to view the map several times and got Error 404 PAGE NOT FOUND
Not the best start.
The link is working now.