Key Points
- Varroa honey bee mite has now been in the South Island for several years and is likely toreach Canterbury within a year.
- There will be a significant increase in the cost to bee keepers through treating hives to control varroa.
- The feral honey bee population will decline over two years after the arrival of varroa, giving rise to lower ‘wild’ bee populations.
- Growers should consider the “strength” of hives when purchasing pollination services, especially if hive numbers are limited.