Native bee season update
As we reach the cusp of native bee season, it’s the perfect time to highlight a few important factors currently impacting our native bees.
Firstly, the varroa mite.
While we know the varroa mite cannot directly affect native bees due to their smaller body size, it’s causing a ripple effect through the environment as it impacts Apis mellifera (honey bees).
With the combination of recent extreme wet weather and the ongoing effects of varroa on honey bee health, we’re seeing a surge in small hive beetle populations. Small hive beetles are often a secondary pest for native bees, but this season many colonies have already succumbed to infestations and “slime-outs” — even previously strong hives have struggled to cope with the increased pest pressure.
This, in turn, has attracted phorid flies and syrphid flies, creating a cascade of stressors on native bee colonies — and that’s all before we even consider hive splitting.
If you experience a hive being overcome by pests it is important to neutralise the pests as soon as possible to prevent further spread. This can be done by opening the hive and pouring boiling water over the contents of the hive. This kills the pests and they cannot continue to spread to other hives in your yard or neighbourhood. Sometimes hives can be salvaged if the pest invasion hasn’t overcome the brood. This is best done by a professional native bee keeper.
The weather factor
The extreme wet conditions over the past 12–24 months have also affected the overall health and wellbeing of native bee colonies by reducing forage availability. Many hives simply aren’t strong enough to be propagated this year.
When we combine the pest pressures and environmental stress, it’s a season for extra caution. If you’re planning to split, educt, or transfer hives, be aware that the usual risks are heightened. We encourage beekeepers to take this seriously — it’s far better to wait another 12 months until conditions improve than to risk losing a colony.
The next challenge: heat.
We’ve already seen temperatures hit 39°C this week — and heat stress can be just as deadly as pests for native bees. Hives can overheat quickly, especially those exposed to full sun or reflective heat surfaces.
To help your bees stay cool:
🌿 Position hives where they receive morning sun till 10:30 and shade for the rest of the day. Tree shade is ideal and much cooler than artificial cover.
💧 Create microclimates using plants or shade cloth. - Plants can shelter from hot air and create small areas that are cooler than the rest of the garden.
🪣 Use a towel draped into a bucket of water and laid over the hive to provide evaporative cooling during extreme heat.
🚫 Avoid plastic tarps laid directly on hives — they trap heat rather than block it.
🔥 Don’t place hives near reflective materials like Colorbond fences, concrete, glass, mirrors, tin sheds, or water tanks. These can radiate additional heat and stress the colony, even on milder days.
And finally, if you have air-con, you can close your hive up with mesh the night before and bring them inside for the day.
Best placement tip:
Mount hives off the ground on a star picket or tree post where they receive a few hours of morning sun before being in shade for the rest of the day.
Although native beekeeping is usually an easy and rewarding hobby, it’s important to remember that bees kept in human made boxes are livestock, and they depend on us for proper care and protection.
If you’d like more information on keeping your bees healthy and happy, we highly recommend grabbing a copy of our Guide to Keeping Native Bees and exploring our online course.
There are also several native bee workshops coming up soon — a great way to learn more and connect with other keepers. You’ll find the links below.
🐝 Stay cool, stay observant, and enjoy this beautiful season with your buzzing friends!
Currumbin Sanctuary Workshop on the Gold Coast 8th November
Byron Community College Mullumbimby 14th November
