Immediate measures required to combat Varroa mite infestation

Graham Thornton, owner of Atherton’s Honey Providore, expressed concerns about the significant effects the Varroa mite will have on local beekeepers, food production, and pollination services. He emphasized that the mite's arrival is not just a bee issue but a serious threat to businesses and livelihoods in Australia. The Varroa mite, which attacks European honeybee colonies, entered Australia in 2022 and has devastated wild honeybee populations in southeast Queensland, with managed colonies also at risk.