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Varroa Bee Mite Information
This webpage has been established to keep the bee industry and the public informed of developments to control and manage varroa mites, a very serious pest of bees.
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Surveys to detect varroa mites |
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| HDOA Entomologists Mach Fukada (L) and Mohsen Ramadan (R) survey hives on Molokai | Plant Quarantine Kona Supervisor Clare Okumoto (L) surveys Kona hives with the assistance of a Kona Beekeeper (R) |
In early April 2007, a Manoa beekeeper reported what he suspected was a varroa mite infestation. It was subsequently confirmed by HDOA and surveys detected the mite around Oahu in managed and feral hives. To date, surveys have been conducted on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii. On August 22, 2008, surveillance trapping detected varroa mites in a swarm trap located near Hilo Bay. HDOA personnel are currently trapping feral bees in the Hilo area and collecting bees from area beekeepers to determine the extent of the varroa infestation in Hilo.
The Plant Pest Control Branch, Plant Quarantine Branch and the Pesticides Branch of HDOA have been working with the local bee industry to develop a strategic plan for the containment, control and management of the varroa mite situation in Hawaii. The goal of the plan is to control the mite population to very low levels on Oahu and to prevent the mite from moving to uninfested islands.
Suspected bee mite infestations in areas other than Oahu should be reported immediately to the state's toll-free Pest Hotline at 643-PEST (7378).
The following are links to documents relating to varroa mites:
- Interim Rule 07-1 - Restrictions on the Interstate Movement of Live or Dead Bees or Used Bee Equipment
- HDOA Draft Varroa Mite Plan
- HDOA New Pest Advisory - Varroa Mite
- Varroa Mite Surveys (November 2007)
- Frequently Asked Questions about Varroa Mites
- Summary of June 8, 2007 meeting with representatives of the bee industry and farmers.
- Report on the Study, Control and Mitigation of the Bee Mite Infestation
Links to News Releases on Varroa Mite:
September 12, 2008 News Release
September 9, 2008 News Release
Link to Honolulu Advertiser Commentary by Neil Reimer
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Varroa Mite |