- April is Bee Blitz month to promote hive health checks
- Beekeepers are encouraged to check their hives regularly and report anything unusual
- WA has strong biosecurity and surveillance measures in place to protect the State's bee industry
April is 'Bee Blitz' month in Western Australia to highlight the importance of early detection and reporting to protect the State's bee industry and crucial pollination services from harmful pests and diseases.
WA undertakes State and national bee pest surveillance programs, including extensive surveillance at ports and airports, to protect the State's honeybees which are vital pollinators for the agriculture and horticulture industries.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), with the support of volunteer beekeepers, co-ordinates the surveillance program which covers Fremantle, Kwinana, Perth Airport, Bunbury, Albany, Esperance, Geraldton and Derby.
More than 4,000 registered beekeepers across the State play a key role in helping keep WA's bee populations safe by monitoring their hives and reporting signs of pests and diseases.
Regular hive inspections throughout the year are the most effective way to detect issues early and ensure WA maintains its varroa-mite-free status, protects our premium honey reputation, and safeguards essential pollination services.
Ensuring all hives, commercial and hobby, are registered is a legal requirement in WA and a simple step every beekeeper can take so they can be contacted quickly if an exotic pest or disease is detected.
During the month-long 'Bee Blitz', beekeepers are encouraged to clean and monitor their hives regularly and report anything unusual.
Reports can be made online and more information on bee biosecurity is available from the DPIRD website .
Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"Strong biosecurity and early detection are our best defence to keep pests like varroa mite out of Western Australia.
"This month's Bee Blitz is a great reminder for beekeepers to regularly monitor their hives and help safeguard their own bees and the crops that depend on them for pollination.
"I encourage all beekeepers to make sure they have registered their hives and are practicing good biosecurity such as keeping hives clean, monitoring for pests and reporting anything unusual immediately."
