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Bundjalung Country


Varroa Destructor Mite - threatening our Australian Beehives

Posted by Lilly Choi-Lee on

Threat to the Australian bee and honey industry.

Varroa Destructor.  The name itself sends shivers up one's spine & you would be correct in imagining a monstrous sci-fi creature rearing up to devour earthlings and any living creature on our planet.

This imagery is perhaps not so far-fetched as this mite does endanger a crucial link in our ecosystem of life - the European honey bee.  And we all know that bees, already globally threatened, are essential pollinators and therefore part of our food source and crop production.  

We spoke with Michael Howes, our partner artisan from Australia's Manuka Honey at Tyagarah Apiaries, as to the impact on his bees and hives.  Fortunately, Michael's team of beekeepers are super vigilant and the hives are untouched at this stage.

We would like to share some insights with our tribe of followers to better understand why this tiny mite is such a massive deal.

What is it?

(Image from The Australasian Beekeeper magazine instagram @theabkmag)

The size of a sesame seed, about 1.5mm, the reddish-brown Varroa Destructor Mite (hereon will refer to simply as the varroa mite) live off the heamo-lymph and fatty tissue of the European bees, usually in a place between the abdomen and thorax junction area, weakening them so they cannot do their work.  Even worse, they invade the heart of the beehive to feed and reproduce on larvae & pupae in the developing brood, not just debilitating them, but causing malformations as well.  

If you imagine a giant tick, the size of your fist, sucking out your bodily fluids, that's what's happening to the poor bees!

The infectious bees transfer to others very quickly and if left untreated, the pest will kill any beehive it infests - including all feral and untreated bee colonies.  The drone bees are the key carriers as they move from hive to hive and even between apiaries.

When did it last enter Australia?

Australia is the last bastion to resist the Varroa mite as we have such diligent and strict quarantine requirements in place at our ports to protect the Australian honey bee industry. 

Michael says, "The potential financial cost to Australia is estimated to be $70 million per year, if the mite becomes established.  About one third of Australia's food production relies on bee pollination (almonds, avocados, apples, and more)." 

The Varroa Destructor mite was detected in surveillance hives in Newcastle Port at the end of June 2022.  According to ABC news, it has now spread about 400 kms from the port to around 40 properties across New South Wales.  

What can you do?

"The sadness in euthanising bees as a result of the Varroa mite landing at the Newcastle Port a couple of weeks ago, is overwhelming.  From fires to floods, to this deadly parasite - our thoughts are with other beekeepers as we face yet another trying time". 

If you are an unregistered beekeeper, register online the NSW government website  to let them know where existing hives are, enabling ease of contact should others around your zone be infected.

As the Varroa mite does not harm the native bee, you need not worry they will be infected - however, your vigilance in detecting them and advising authorities will prevent the destruction of the vulnerable European beehives!  

If you do detect any suspicious mites, contact the department via email:

hive.location@emergency.dpi.nsw.gov.au or call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading this & please spread the word.

 

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New Certified Organic Tea Tree Hydrosol

Posted by Lilly Choi-Lee on

New product on the certified organic block!!

We are super excited to introduce this beautiful by-product of the traditional wood-fire distillation method used by our Olive Gap farmers:  certified organic tea tree hydrosol.

I remember when we first drove down to meet Tara & Alex on their tea tree farm down in Woodburn.  It was the classic word-of-mouth-instructions only (forget Google) - drive along this road, take a turn at that tree and look out for the giant red floral sculpture...

That day we made the acquaintance of the neighbours' cows, the natural weed-controllers and were introduced to what life living off the grid actually looks like.  We were blown away by the simplicity and beauty of this communal concept, and in awe of the amount of work it actually takes to live so independently and symbiotically with Mother Nature.

At that time, Tara & Alex told us they were considering using or selling the hydrosol in some form but were unsure of how this would look like and also weren't sure when they could fit yet another project into their busy lives.

Almost two years later, they have done it!

This pure tea tree hydrosol is special.

Certified organic, regeneratively farmed & grown, gathered to be carbon positive and bottled by our team on their beautiful Northern Rivers land.

Artisan distilled with wood fire steam distillation - a method passed down from their predecessor Arthur - resulting in the cleanest and greenest tea tree hydrosol possible.  No nasties, no additives.

Hydrosol contains similar therapeutic properties to pure essential oil; imagine a ready-to-use spritzer as a natural facial toner, a deodorising spray and an all purpose antibacterial face, hair and body mist - all rolled into the one package.

Tea tree oil is a gateway to a plastic and chemical free lifestyle with so many benefits for your home, body and the planet! Check out our blogs  (in three parts) with advice by Tara on all the wonderful uses of this Australian native botanical essential oil.

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