max2> The quaetion I have - if the new sites are within the eradictaion zone - why have they not been eradicated?Its a tough battle Max. May I refer first paragraph in reply 22 and reply 30 to help those who may not understand what a real chore this battle is in the effort to element this awful mite. I an not attempting to dissuade the honest effort set forth by your officials and countrymen. As
Michale Bush 'paraphrasing' also stated somewhere on this topic: If even one mite is overlooked or not eliminated the battle is lost.
Its all or nothing in my opinion. When I watched a video showing that some hives were eliminated in an apiary which tested positive, while other hives in the same apiary were sparred, I felt sick for the following reasons in reply 22 and 30
Phillip
Re: Varroa dedected in Australia>>Reply #22 on: June 29, 2022, 09:55:51 pm <<quote NigelP
Whilst it's very sad you guys have now got varroa. It's not a death sentence, most of the rest of the worlds beekeepers live with the little blighters. There are plenty of effective treatments for keeping their numbers low so that they have little noticeable impact on the bees.
But killing all the bees and burning all those hives, I really feel for any keeper having his livelihood destroyed.
But eradicating feral bees....is that even possible?
How did it arrive? A swarm of bees setting up home on a container ship? Illegal imports of bees?
Re: Varroa dedected in Australia>>Reply #22 on: June 29, 2022, 09:55:51 pm <<"I agree NigleP. Though not a death sentence, this news is a hit below the belt.
Lets consider:
Even if every single domestic hive which has varroa is eradicated, feral bees which may be affected and harboring Varroa Destructor are still a breeding ground and a solid bridge for varroa. If just 'one' feral hive having varroa is missed, then the spread starts all over again. Millions of dollars wasted not counting the heartbreak and heartache. "
"I will in no way try and dissuade efforts to control this pest by any method or means our friends see fit to try and deem necessary. At the end of the day they must be able to say "we did our best and we controlled the problem", or "we did our best even if the problem is not solved"."
"Whether a successful eradication of varroa or not; It may well be time for our friends Down Under to educate themselves about Varroa Destructor if they haven't already...
There is LOADS of GREAT information here at Beemaster for your convenience concerning 'every conceivable aspect' of Varroa; From research papers posted from all over the world concerning every aspect of varroa, including treatment methods along with the breakdown of treating tools. The
Search engine at the top of the page, might be a best friend to our friends from DownUnder at this time, win, lose, or draw... "
"I think it is safe to say, if we at Beemaster can be of aid, please call on us. Not only will the staff try and help but our many members from all over will try and help as well. I say this with complete confidence."
Sincerely,
Phillip
Also:Re: Varroa dedected in Australia?<<Reply #30 on: July 01, 2022, 11:41:46 am >>"It has been determined that Varroa can not live more than 5 days without a host which is a promising good thing."
Honest Questions:
"If all domesticated managed hives are completely destroyed in the kill zones, what will become of the bees which may have missed the eradication process while out forging, which may host live varroa? Will they beg into unknown feral hives? The same question for eradicated hives on the outer limits of the kill zone. What will become of the forging bees which no longer have a home. Can they simply find their way to a hive 'outside' of the eradication zone, or an unknown feral hive 'outside or inside' the kill zone? Will they beg into a nearby hive, bringing with them the varroa they may have in their possession, (on their person)? "
"If a feral hive is eradicated (killed on the spot) with a 'certain chemical' which was suggested in the article I posted earlier, will the chemical kill the capped brood in these feral hives as well where varroa may be living and developing? Will this varroa survive? Will the varroa emerge from the capped brood and live for 5 days, allowing time for a robber bee from another unknown feral hive to come along allowing themselves to becoming a brand new Varroa host? "
"Most likely the officials there In Australia have already asked themselves these very same questions and probably many more? If so, what are their answers?"
"Varroa Mites | Texas Apiary Inspection Service (TAIS)They are spread within a colony when bees come into contact with one another. Mites are also spread between colonies and apiaries via robbing, drifting, swarming, and absconding. Varroa mites are unable to live for more than a few days without a host and therefore, you will not find Varroa mites in a dead out hive."Phillip