Varroa mite found in managed beehive in South Australia – next steps for beekeepers

Varroa mite has been detected in South Australia for the first time, following confirmation of the pest in a managed hive located in the Riverland.

PIRSA Apiary Unit surveillance teams identified a suspected detection of varroa mite in a hive at Pooginook yesterday. The affected hive is part of a consignment of hives brought into the state from Queensland to support the critical almond pollination season.

This detection was made during routine surveillance activities which have been in place since its first detection in New South Wales in 2022.

Since the first detection in NSW in 2022, varroa mite has since been detected in Victoria, Queensland and ACT.

Samples were promptly submitted to the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), which has since confirmed the presence of varroa mite.

PIRSA is currently undertaking further sampling across the consignment.

To support containment, sticky mats and acaricides are being deployed across all hives within the orchard. Acaracides is a highly effective treatment in the destruction of varroa mite.

A movement control has already been applied to ensure bees, hives, and associated equipment cannot be moved from the site.

A Biosecurity Notice to beekeepers has been issued today, and a meeting of the South Australian Varroa Industry Advisory Committee (SAVIAC) has been held.

Since the national decision of transition to management in 2023, PIRSA has been supporting South Australian beekeepers and pollinators by implementing strict biosecurity conditions for hives entering South Australia from varroa-positive states.

These include:

• detailed movement history and compliance checks
• surveillance protocols
• a requirement that hives must not have been within 25 km of a known varroa outbreak.

The hives from Queensland met these conditions and they were not sourced from the vicinity of a known outbreak.

PIRSA’s Biosecurity Apiary Unit and Varroa Program Team, including the Varroa Development Officers (VDOs), are working closely with affected beekeepers to define the extent of the detection, slow the spread of varroa mite and help guide management practices.

Since the establishment of the Transition to Management Plan, PIRSA has employed multiple VDOs to work with industry, and to date they have conducted 664 engagements involving 1,311 beekeepers to educate them on varroa mite.

The National Varroa Mite Management Program has also conducted eight workshops across SA involving 577 beekeepers.

Any beekeepers who currently have, or since 25 July 2025 have had, hives within 25 km of Pooginook or intend to keep hives in this area are requested to contact the PIRSA Biosecurity Apiary Unit by emailing pirsa.beebiosecurity@sa.gov.au. PIRSA has undertaken significant industry engagement to prepare beekeepers and associated businesses for varroa mite entering the state, including South Australia’s Transition to Management Plan, developed with industry through the South Australian Varroa Industry Advisory Committee.

All South Australian beekeepers are urged to:

• inspect their hives regularly using alcohol wash, sugar shake, or sticky mat techniques
• report any suspected detections immediately to PIRSA via the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881
• ensure they are registered with PIRSA so they can receive up-to-date biosecurity notices and guidance.

For further information, including resources for hive monitoring and details of PIRSA’s Varroa Development Officer team, go to Varroa mite.