Articles

Explore the effectiveness of small cell size in Varroa control and the cautionary insights from trials in this informative blog. Australian beekeepers, beware of internet solutions and embrace cautious experimentation for hive health.

Discover the intersection of tradition and innovation in beekeeping as we delve into the valuable insights from New Zealand's beekeeping community. Learn how Australian apiarists can enhance hive management and Varroa control practices through strategic experimentation and meticulous sampling.

Discover how Varroa mites are reshaping the economics of beekeeping globally and why a shift towards maximum management with fewer hives is essential for long-term profitability. Learn valuable insights for beekeepers worldwide, including those in Australia, to mitigate Varroa's impact...

Dive into the forefront of beekeeping innovation with a deep exploration of efforts to breed Varroa-resistant bees. From classical breeding to genetic breakthroughs, uncover the promising strides made in New Zealand and their potential to revolutionize global beekeeping practices.

Discover invaluable insights for Australian beekeepers as they confront the Varroa challenge. Dr. Mark Goodwin's narrative draws from New Zealand's experiences, offering universal lessons on surveillance, government intervention, and the inevitability of Varroa's presence. Explore proactive strategies to safeguard colonies...

Discover the journey of Dr. Mark Goodwin in revolutionizing Varroa mite control strategies. Gain insights into integrated control programs (IPM) and the challenges faced by beekeepers worldwide. Learn how Australian beekeepers can tailor IPM approaches for sustainable Varroa management amidst...

Discover Dr. Mark Goodwin's method for monitoring Varroa mite levels with a capping scratcher. Explore Ecrotek's products for effective hive protection. Start safeguarding your bee colonies today!

Uncover the intricate biology of the Varroa mite with Dr. Mark Goodwin as he explores its lifecycle and behaviors. Learn how Varroa infiltrates hives, targets drone brood, and feeds on pupae, impacting bee health. Gain valuable insights for Australia's beekeeping...

Explore the Varroa mite's impact on beekeeping with Dr. Mark Goodwin. Learn about its global spread, economic consequences, and ongoing efforts for sustainable solutions. Watch the video for insights into honeybees and the Varroa mite's evolution.

Explore Dr. Mark Goodwin's expert insights on Varroa mite treatment timing, tailored for Australian beekeepers. Learn how to navigate diverse climates and optimize treatment strategies for maximum effectiveness.

Discover crucial insights for Australian beekeepers in this enlightening video by Dr. Mark Goodwin on Varroa mite management. Learn about tailored approaches for Australia's tropical climate, flexible treatment durations, integrated control programs, and strategic timing for administering treatments. Stay ahead...

Discover essential insights for Australian beekeepers in combating Varroa mites and safeguarding hive health. Learn about strategic treatment timing, rotating treatment products, and key considerations such as wearing protective gear and monitoring Varroa levels post-treatment. Incorporate lessons from New Zealand's...

Discover expert insights on Varroa resistance management in beekeeping. Learn valuable strategies for sustainable Varroa control, including alternating treatment classes and post-treatment sampling. Avoid the pitfalls of ineffective resistance management and mitigate hive losses. Strengthen your approach to beekeeping with...

Learn how to protect your bee colony from Varroa mites with the Icing Sugar Shake technique. This non-invasive method utilizes common kitchen items to quickly detect mite infestations and intervene early, safeguarding your hive's health.

Explore the Ether Roll technique, a simple yet effective method for monitoring Varroa mites in beehives. Learn how Australian beekeepers can quickly assess Varroa infestation levels, enabling timely interventions to safeguard hive health.

Explore the innovative technique of drone trapping in beekeeping, offering targeted Varroa mite control with reduced chemical dependency. Uncover the labor-intensive nature and limited adoption of this method, alongside its potential benefits for Australian beekeepers amid growing concerns over conventional...

Beekeepers in Australia face diverse challenges in maintaining hive health. Our symptom checker provides insights into Varroa mites, European foulbrood, Chalk brood, Sacbrood virus, and American foulbrood. Learn to identify symptoms like deformed wings, darkened brood cells, and irregular cell...

Delve into the intricate world of beekeeping as Dr. Mark Goodwin sheds light on the complexities of Varroa mites. Learn to distinguish their symptoms from other brood diseases, ensuring timely intervention for colony health. Download your free symptoms checker now!

Unlock the Power of Ventilated Bottom Boards in the Battle Against Varroa Mites Dr. Mark Goodwin unveils a game-changing tool for beekeepers worldwide: the ventilated bottom board. Dive into its mechanics and discover how this simple modification can disrupt Varroa...

Unravel the intricate dynamics of Varroa mites and their devastating impact on bee colonies. Dr. Mark Goodwin unveils a paradigm-shifting truth: it's not Varroa alone but the viruses it spreads that pose the real threat to hive health. Explore the...

Introduction: As Varroa mites make their presence felt in Australia, beekeepers need robust strategies to safeguard their hives. Synthetic varroa mite treatments have proven efficacy in New Zealand, but adapting these methods to the unique conditions of Australian beekeeping requires...

Discover effective strategies for managing Varroa Mite infestations in Australian beehives with Ecrotek's comprehensive guide. From identifying weak hives to exploring organic treatment options, empower yourself with expert insights to safeguard your apiary's health.

How to prevent invasion and treat infestation Bees make so many useful and delicious products – honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly – it makes sense that humans aren’t the only species that want to access them. But unlike humans, who...

Symptoms, Treatment And Prevention Tropilaelaps mites are external parasites that move quickly among honeycombs and feed on the haemolymph (blood) of bee larvae and pupae. They’re native to Asia, but pose a significant threat to beekeeping worldwide – if they...

Understanding Tracheal Mite (TM) and Disease The tracheal mite, also known as Acarapis woodi, is an invasive hive parasite. Discovered in 1919 on the Isle of Wight, the mites cause a disease called Carine disease or Acariosis, which is deadly...

Bee Friendly Garden - Tips When we hear about bees most of us think of honeybees (Apis mellifera) but there are many more bees around us. New Zealand has 28 native and 13 introduced species of bee. The bee’s most...

Protecting your bees from diseases and pests As a beekeeper, caring for your hive is the best prevention against nasty pests or diseases. But, it’s still good to know what to look out for and what you should do. We’ve...

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More than just a hobby – making a living from beekeeping With around 7,000 beekeepers and roughly 700,000 registered hives (MPI 2016 Apiculture Monitoring Report), New Zealand produces a lot of honey. Many Kiwi beekeepers start out as hobbyists, with...

Learn How To Keep Your Hive Safe Stonebrood is a fungal condition that affects both larvae and adult bees. The name comes from its effect on larvae – when they’re infected, they harden, turn black and resemble small stones. As...

How To Set Up and Fill Your First Beehive So, you’re starting a new colony? This is an exciting time for new and experienced beekeepers alike. It’s a chance to learn more about how bee colonies live and work, help...

Everything You Need To Know About European Foulbrood (EFB) While some parts of the world have been able to avoid European foulbrood disease (EFB), Australia hasn’t been so lucky. The bacterial brood disease is common in Eastern Australia and has...

Winter Beekeeping: Taking care of beehives in winter Keeping your bees cosy in cold weather Winter is a natural rest time for bees. After building up their honey stores through spring and summer, they’re ready to hole up in the...

Chalkbrood in Honeybees and Leafcutter Bees Chalkbrood is a serious fungal disease that attacks brood as it develops in the hive. Honeybees are affected by the disease, along with the Blue Orchard bee and the alfalfa leafcutter bee. The disease...

Keeping Detailed Beehive Inspection Notes A hive inspection involves facing thousands of potentially grumpy bees, lifting heavy hive parts, handling a hot smoker – all while wearing a clunky bee suit to protect yourself. If you’re a new beekeeper, it’s...

About Small Hive Beetle (SHB) Although the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is only 5 mm long, it is one of the most feared bee parasites because with a heavy infestation, it can destroy an entire colony within a very...

About Nosemosis (Nosema) Nosemosis (also called nosema) is caused by a single-celled fungus parasitic disease in honey bees. It is the most common animal disease in adult bees and highly contagious. The cause of the disease, Nosema apis and Nosema...

About AFB American foulbrood disease (AFB) is a disease of honey bee larvae and pupae caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. It is the most serious honey bee disease in New Zealand and has a major impact on bee populations....