Southland beekeepers need to take stock of their management practices if they are to survive varroa, a commercial beekeeper says.
Southern Honey beekeeper Grant Fryer, of Woodlands, said while his hives had not been infected with the mite, it was fast approaching and he had made changes to his hive management practices to deal with the pest.
''Keepers are going to have to be managing their hives much more intensely,'' Mr Fryer said.
''One of the big changes . . . is beekeepers will have to get their honey crop off earlier in autumn.''
In the past, Southland beekeepers would continue taking honey from their hives until early-April but, as hives required varroa treatment twice a year, beekeepers would need to have their honey crop harvested by late-February, he said.
''It's going to put keepers under a lot more pressure in the autumn,'' Mr Fyer said.
''Personally, I may have to take on a staff member for a month or two [at that time].''
He did not believe profitability would be directly affected, although treatment costs, extra staff and the potential for smaller crops could eat into his margin, he said.
''One fortunate thing is the price of honey has gone up in recent years, which means keepers will be more able to treat their hives,'' Mr Fryer said.
''But it's another thing to deal with.''
- Timothy Brown.