Varroa Mites Devastate Australian Capital Territory Hives

0:00Over 1,000 B-hives in the Australian capital territory have been wiped out by Varroa mites, with experts estimating half of the territories. 6,000 hives now affected. These tiny parasites latch onto honeybees, spreading viruses that weaken and kill entire colonies. Officials are urging all beekeepers in Canberra to inspect their hives right away and register with the government for support. Tonight first showed up in April of last year, and has since spread across the whole territory, hitting every major suburb. Bio-security officers say it's likely in every hive soon, maybe within 18 months. Hobby beekeepers have seen the worst damage, with bees fleeing or dying off as secondary pests take over stressed colonies. Beekeepers aren't the only ones feeling the sting. Polynators are key for backyard fruit and veggie gardens, so yields could drop noticeably. Many locals grow their own produce, and without healthy bees, those trees and patches

1:00won't produce as much. The community is rallying, but the early chaos has folks scrambling. The good news is, managed hives can survive long term with diligent testing and treatments like chemicals or manual methods. Government teams are offering free tools and advice to help, especially for beginners who might lose everything otherwise. Registering gets you on their radar for updates and hands on aid. In four to five years, experts predict local bees will build resistance and bounce back stronger, turning this set back into a tougher hive population. Overall, stay on top of it. Canberra, your buzz depends on it. From your city, powered by AI, this is Sydney News Today. I'm Coring with the story.