Small Hive Beetle Decimates Bee Populations on Mid North Coast Before Spring

Unusually high numbers of the invasive pest small hive beetle are leading to significant losses of beehives. The beetle is targeting hives already weakened by varroa mite and recent floods across the NSW mid north coast. Chris Tejcek lost all five of his beehives to small hive beetle infestations. "We've just taken a five, 10-minute walk around the property and I'm yet to see a bee, which is really devastating for us," he said. The situation on Mr Tejcek's property has been mirrored across the NSW mid north coast, where the combination of varroa mite and repeated floods has left hives vulnerable.