23/08/2026
Hello to our loyal Brissy Bee followers.
We know we have been quiet on social media lately, and we feel it is important to explain why.
Since the arrival of Varroa destructor in Australia, beekeeping and honey production have changed dramatically. In many ways, we no longer feel like beekeepers first—we are now constantly managing mites just to keep our colonies alive, healthy and productive.
Varroa was detected in one of our apiaries in November 2025. Over the following two months, we lost around half of our production colonies. This was not because of a lack of preparation, testing, effort or care. We monitored our hives closely, followed the available advice and threw everything we had at trying to protect them.
Unfortunately, the approved synthetic treatments we were advised to use did not deliver the results we needed in our apiaries. Despite extensive monitoring, treatment and intervention, we experienced devastating losses across Coorparoo, Mansfield and Holland Park.
As the situation unfolded, we collected samples from our apiaries and submitted them to the DPI for testing. The results showed that the synthetic treatments were less effective against the mites in our hives than expected. This helped explain why our colonies were collapsing so rapidly despite following the recommended treatment approach.
We followed the research and recommendations available at the time, but what we experienced on the ground did not match the expected outcomes. The learning curve has been steep, emotional and relentless.
Keeping mite numbers low enough while maintaining healthy colonies capable of producing local raw honey is now an ongoing challenge. After our experience with synthetic treatments, we made the decision to use organic treatment options to help save our remaining colonies at Kenmore and Brookfield.
Since December 2025, we have been using oxalic acid treatments with encouraging results. Oxalic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound found in many plants and foods. When used correctly, it can be an effective tool for varroa management and is considered less likely to lead to mite resistance than some other treatment types. It is also comparatively cost-effective—although it remains labour-intensive and must be administered carefully at the correct dosage.
Even with organic treatments, beekeeper safety remains essential. Appropriate PPE, handling procedures and careful application are always required.
We have heard similar stories from backyard beekeepers, small operators and commercial beekeepers, many of whom have experienced losses even greater than ours. European honey bees can no longer be left unmanaged in areas affected by varroa. Untreated colonies will eventually collapse, and feral colonies are expected to be heavily affected.
This will have consequences beyond honey production. Fewer healthy honey bee colonies in the environment means fewer pollinators available for gardens, bushland and agricultural crops. Many food crops depend on managed bees for reliable pollination, and demand for pollination services was already high before varroa arrived. Now, it is even harder for Australian beekeepers to meet that demand.
Beekeeping as we once knew it has changed. Years of experience still matter, but the daily focus has shifted: managing mites is now an essential part of keeping colonies alive. Without treatment and monitoring, varroa will eventually overwhelm a colony.
Despite everything, we are still here. We are still learning, adapting and fighting for our bees every day.
Our local honey stocks are now close to running out, so some of your favourite varieties may not be available for a period of time. We are working hard to rebuild our Coorparoo apiary and establish new apiaries in Gumdale and Oxley, with further locations planned if conditions allow.
To continue offering quality honey while we rebuild, we are also partnering with experienced commercial beekeepers who provide pollination services and produce honey across South-East Queensland and northern New South Wales. This honey remains raw, single-origin and sourced directly from the beekeeper, with the harvest location disclosed. It gives you the opportunity to enjoy new flavour profiles while continuing to support Australian beekeeping.
Varroa is here to stay, and we are looking to the experiences of beekeepers around the world who have managed this pest for decades. There is still much to learn, but the shared goal is clear: to keep healthy bee colonies alive, protect food production and continue working towards better long-term varroa control.
One positive outcome of this difficult situation has been the way it has brought beekeepers together. Backyard beekeepers, small-scale operators and commercial producers are sharing information, comparing results and supporting one another as we work out the best path forward.
That is how we connected with Jeff Wecker from 4152 Honey, a passionate local beekeeper from Carina. Jeff created a Facebook group to help beekeepers share knowledge, compare experiences and better understand how to manage varroa.
We are grateful for Jeff’s energy, determination and willingness to bring beekeepers together around this issue. He has also been advocating to local politicians to raise awareness of the challenges varroa is creating for beekeepers, food production and pollination.
Jeff has created a petition calling for greater awareness, support and action. We have signed it, and we encourage you to do the same.
If you value local food, honey bees, pollination and the important role bees play in our environment, please take a few minutes to sign and share the petition with family, friends and customers. Every signature and share helps bring attention to an issue that affects far more than just beekeepers.
Sign the petition here:
https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN10425
Thank you for your patience while we have focused our energy where it has been needed most: in the apiaries, caring for our colonies.
We appreciate every customer, follower and supporter who continues to back local beekeeping and locally produced raw honey. We will keep sharing what we learn, how we are adapting and what the future looks like for Brissy Bee.
