A
large feral beehive was found today by Hawai`i
Department of Agriculture (HDOA) staff and
about 60 varroa mites were collected from
a sample of 5,400 bees from that hive. The
feral hive is located in the airport area
in an old quarry. Last week, one varroa mite
was detected on Wednesday (11/14) and 14 mites
were detected on Thursday (11/13) in bait
traps located about a few hundred yards away
from the infested hive.
“The close proximity of the feral hives to
the varroa mite detections last week render
it likely that the hive was the source of
the mites,” said Neil Reimer, manager of the
Plant Pest Control Branch. “Crews are now
working on treating the hive.”
Personnel from HDOA have been continuously
trapping, monitoring and testing bees since
the varroa mites were first discovered on
the island in August. Forty-three bait stations
and about 200 swarm traps have been deployed
in the Hilo area to trap feral bees. More
than 100 feral hives have been treated and
destroyed.
Since the first detection of varroa mites
on Hawai`i Island in August 2008, HDOA personnel
have found five hives and two swarms infested
with mites from a total of about 150 hives
sampled. All of the detections have been within
about a one-mile radius, which indicates that
the varroa mites may not have traveled from
where they were first detected. Varroa mites
have not been detected in any hives managed
by beekeepers on Hawai`i Island.
Hilo residents are asked to report wild beehives
and bee swarms to the State’s toll-free Pest
Hotline at 643-PEST (7378). HDOA is also asking
beekeepers and the public not to transport
bees or beekeeping equipment in or out of
a 15-mile radius of Hilo Bay.
A
large feral beehive was found today by Hawai`i
Department of Agriculture (HDOA) staff and
about 60 varroa mites were collected from
a sample of 5,400 bees from that hive. The
feral hive is located in the airport area
in an old quarry. Last week, one varroa mite
was detected on Wednesday (11/14) and 14 mites
were detected on Thursday (11/13) in bait
traps located about a few hundred yards away
from the infested hive. 
