Department of Agriculture

HONOLULU – One varroa mite was detected in Hilo yesterday by crews from the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) who were searching for wild beehives.  The sole mite was found in a collection of 700 bees along an access road to a wastewater plant near Hilo Airport.  The hive has been destroyed.

This detection raises the bee mite count to 44 mites from a total of about 32,000 bees collected.

August 22 – 12 mites found in a swarm trap
August 23 – two mites were found in a wild hive
August 29 – 24 mites found in a swarm trap
September 6-7 – five mites found in a wild hive
September 11 – one mite found in a wild hive

Varroa mites have not been detected in any hives managed by beekeepers on Hawai`i Island.

HDOA will continue to collect samples in Hilo and around Hawai`i Island to determine the extent of the varroa mite infestation.  Hilo residents are asked to report wild beehives and bee swarms to the State’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 643-PEST (7378).  HDOA is also asking beekeepers and the public not to transport bees or beekeeping equipment in or out of a 15-mile radius of Hilo Bay.

More information on varroa mites, including previous news releases, is available on the department’s webpage at:  https://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/ppc/varroa-bee-mite-page

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