Western Australia remains free of Varroa! That confidence relies on the ongoing vigilance of beekeepers. The April Bee Pest Blitz is your chance to help protect that status by checking your hives and reporting what you find, even when no mites are found.

Words Shannon Holt, Bee Biosecurity Officer, DPIRD

WHEN hundreds of individual checks are combined, they create a powerful snapshot of bee health across the state. Even a single Varroa check helps build a clearer picture of WA’s overall status.

How to take part Participation is straightforward:

1. Check at least one hive in April using an alcohol wash, soapy water wash, drone uncapping, or sugar shake.

2. Report all results, including negative findings.

Results can be submitted via the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s online mite reporting form. If you experience any issues with reporting, assistance is available at PBHoney@dpird.wa.gov.au. If exotic mites are detected, retain the sample and immediately contact the

Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Reporting “no mites found” is just as valuable as reporting detections, it confirms surveillance coverage and strengthens confidence in WA’s Varroa free status.

The annual Bee Pest Blitz campaign aims to create awareness of exotic and established bee pests, and the importance of hive inspections.

Why April matters

The updated Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice recommends a minimum of three Varroa checks per year, conducted in spring, summer and autumn. The Bee Pest Blitz aligns with the autumn check and provides an important pre winter baseline before colonies are packed down for winter.

Power in numbers

The Bee Pest Blitz is designed to be short, practical and achievable. Taking part can be as simple as one hive, one check, one report, and in doing so, you’ve helped protect WA’s bees.

FIGURE 1. Reported Varroa checks

Source: DPIRD

Of course, checking more hives and apiaries is even better. Every additional report increases our confidence that WA remains Varroa free. But if time is tight, that single hive check is valuable and you are doing your part.

Figure 1 shows Varroa checks reported between 1 September 2025 and 18 January 2026, with some regions already recording surveillance across more than 100 colonies. This April, every additional report helps fill the gaps and ensures your region is represented. While hive checks don’t prevent Varroa from entering WA, widespread participation strengthens surveillance and improves the likelihood of early detection and rapid response.