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Second small hive beetle detected in Devonport
Fruit Growers Tasmania | Friday, 5 May 2023, 2.00pm
A second small hive beetle has been detected in East Devonport, within 1.4km of the initial detection in early March. This detection does not indicate that small hive beetle is established in Tasmania.
Read more about the small hive beetle
Both specimens were found as part of Biosecurity Tasmania’s extensive monitoring program. Since the initial detection in early March, Biosecurity Tasmania has been working alongside beekeepers, industry and the community to undertake thousands of beehive and trap inspections.
As a result of this detection, the current 10km Bee Movement Restriction Area will remain in place until further notice.
View an interactive map of the Bee Movement Restriction Area
All beekeepers within the 10km Bee Movement Restriction Area are asked to avoid opening hives during this period.
If you are in the 10km Bee Movement Restriction Area and would like to open your beehives for feeding, honey harvest, removal of supers or winter pack down, please contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 6165 3777 to arrange a permit.
Honey produced in Tasmania can be brought into the Bee Movement Restriction Area to be filtered and processed.
If you are outside the 10km area, restrictions no longer apply, meaning beehives can be opened and moved.
While Biosecurity Tasmania will continue investigations, checking beehives and setting traps, with this detection, the response will now focus more on wild and unregistered beehives.
It is now more vital than ever for all Tasmanian beekeepers to register their hives because registration is one of the most powerful tools to protect against pests and diseases that threaten our bee population.
It is illegal to own beehives and be unregistered in Tasmania – fines do apply. However, a permanent amnesty applies for anyone registering beehives – you will not be fined for registering your hives. Registration is free.
Get more information and register here
