Professional Beekeepers

About ruthluckner

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far ruthluckner has created 151 blog entries.

The Sugar Shake – Is it non-lethal to honey bees?

2026-10-01T12:20:23+10:00Biosecurity, Managing your hives, Pests and diseases, Varroa|

Key Points: Sugar shakes are not non-lethal to bees Sugar shake results are highly variable due to environmental conditions and user error Sugar shake results may not reflect when treatment is required The sugar shake method for Varroa monitoring is often marketed as non-lethal to bees. This is one common reason that beekeepers choose sugar shakes rather than alcohol or soapy water washes. But do sugar shakes really spare the bees? A recent study by Bruckner et al. (2025) at Auburn University endeavoured to answer this question. The researchers marked adult worker bees and put them into three different groups: powdered sugar and shaken powdered sugar and not shaken, and no powdered sugar or shaking (negative control). After the [...]

Oxalic Acid Vapourisation: Key considerations for effective varroa control

2026-09-24T14:14:25+10:00Managing your hives, Pests and diseases, Varroa|

Key Points: Preliminary overseas work suggests that a vapouriser temperature around 230°C is ideal. Sealing hives for at least 10 minutes after treating with oxalic acid vapour improves mite control. Figuring out the treatment time for your vapouriser model is essential for efficiency and efficacy. Why Oxalic Acid Vapourisation is gaining attention With synthetic miticide resistance spreading in Varroa mites across Australia, beekeepers are increasingly looking to non-synthetic treatments as part of their Varroa management plans. Oxalic acid (OA) vapourisation is one option attracting more attention. However, non-synthetic does not lower risk. Any treatment has the potential to cause harm if used poorly. This article does not cover risk mitigation for the beekeeper, nearby people, or the bees. The [...]

Where do pollen substitutes go when they disappear?

2026-09-24T14:10:57+10:00Managing your hives, Nutrition|

 Key points: Commercial pollen substitute patties were eaten by a portion of adult worker bees but weren’t stored as bee bread or fed directly to larvae. Commercial pollen substitute patty consumption peaked in older workers, not the nurse bees. Open-fed, dry pollen substitute was collected by foragers and stored as bee bread. Have you ever wondered where pollen substitutes go when they disappear from a hive or feeder? A collection of studies from the University of Florida and Tocal College (AgriFutures Australia funded) have explored this question. We dyed a variety of commercially available pollen substitutes without natural pollen and traced them through colonies in the field. This article summarises our findings. Q: Where do pollen substitute patties go?  A: Patties [...]

What Australian beekeepers can expect of hive sensors

2026-06-04T10:49:56+10:00Lastest Research, Managing your hives, Pollination|

Core beekeeping practices have remained largely unchanged since the development of the movable hive frame in the 1800s. Particularly, manual inspections of the hive contents have remained the primary method for evaluating hive condition and identifying and addressing diseases and pests like mites and beetles. In the last decade however, hive sensors that promise to provide remote data on hive condition have emerged. Many beekeepers remain hesitant to adopt hive sensors in Australia. Our work, sponsored by Hort Innovation and Macquarie University, aimed to determine the needs and expectations of the growing pollination and beekeeping industries regarding the use of hive sensors. We conducted surveys and interviews with amateur and commercial beekeepers to identify the main barriers to the adoption of sensors, and perceptions of their costs and benefits. We also tested a range of hive sensors in our hives at Macquarie University. We were able to determine areas for improvement, usefulness and precision of various sensors. Here are our recommendations to beekeepers and hive sensor manufacturers.  Hive sensors accuracy  [...]

Stingless bee honey shows unique medicinal potential

2026-06-04T10:50:18+10:00Honey|

Honey from Australia’s native stingless bees is showing remarkable promise as a potent, stable, and natural antimicrobial. Our recent study found that honeys produced by Tetragonula carbonaria, Tetragonula hockingsi, and Austroplebeia australis have unique properties that could position them as valuable additions to the medicinal honey market. Two layers of antimicrobial defence Most honey’s antimicrobial activity comes from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), produced by enzymes naturally present in the honey. This holds true for stingless bee honey – T. carbonaria samples in particular generated exceptionally high and sustained levels of H₂O₂, lasting more than six days. But these honeys go a step further. Even after heat treatment, which breaks down H₂O₂ and inactivates enzymes, T. carbonaria and T. hockingsi honeys continued [...]

Have your say on beekeeper education

2026-06-04T10:50:50+10:00Training & resources|

The cost-shared Varroa Transition to Management (T2M) program will be winding up over the next few months. Beekeepers will continue to be supported via their state or territory departments. The education needs of beekeepers are likely to vary based on: their experience presence of Varroa size of their operation, and their hive products and services. T2M is running a survey to assess the education needs of different sectors of the beekeeping industry. This information will be provided to state departments to help them support you better. Have your say! The survey is non-identifiable and voluntary. It takes only a couple of minutes to complete. Please share your views on which resources will make a difference to you at Post T2M [...]

Step up to support the industry!

2026-06-04T10:50:41+10:00Managing your hives, Pests and diseases|

The 2025 Australian Colony Loss survey is closing soon. There are now less than two weeks for beekeepers to get their responses in before the survey closes on 1 November 2025. Figure 1. Percentage of commercial beekeepers who have completed the 2025 Australian Colony Loss survey nationally. Unfortunately, participation rates for the current survey are lower than expected. As evidenced in Table 1, the number of commercial beekeepers (those with 50 hives or more) in each state that have completed the survey is a fraction of the number of commercial beekeepers registered in that state. Nationally, only 3.3% of commercial beekeepers have completed the survey as of this week (Figure 1). The 2024 survey revealed some [...]

Bee microbiomes – the hidden allies in your hive

2026-06-04T10:50:58+10:00Agrichemicals, Managing your hives, Nutrition, Pests and diseases|

Bee nests are more than just homes for bees – they’re vibrant microbial ecosystems. The bacteria and fungi living in bee nests, bee bodies, and their food play essential roles in nutrition, disease resistance and overall colony health. When bees gather nectar and pollen, they also pick up microbes from flowers, soil, and water. These microbes end up in the nest, where they interact with wax, resin, and stored food to create a miniature ecosystem. In honey bees, stingless bees, and even solitary species, these microbial communities help keep the hive healthy – but they’re highly sensitive to environmental changes. Fermentation and food quality Microbes are vital in making and preserving bee food. Bee bread, for example, is more than [...]

Real Beekeeper Stories: Varroa Mite Case Studies

2025-07-17T14:11:47+10:00Managing your hives, Pests and diseases, Training & resources, Varroa|

The National Varroa Mite Management Program has gathered a collection of case studies sharing real experiences from beekeepers across Australia as they manage the impacts of Varroa mite.  These stories, while anecdotal and not formal research, provide an honest look at what both recreational and commercial beekeepers — and Varroa Development Officers — have seen firsthand. They aim to help beekeepers understand what they might face and how others are adapting, though every situation will be different.  Beyond the Hive is a series of video case studies where commercial beekeepers speak openly about discovering Varroa, the changes they’ve made to their operations, hive losses, lessons learnt and how they see the future of beekeeping.  Case studies Explore the case studies [...]

Varroa mite resources for Australian beekeepers – Essential information and support

2025-04-14T09:45:02+10:00Agrichemicals, Biosecurity, Breeding, Code of Practice, Managing your hives, Pests and diseases, Training & resources, Varroa|

Varroa mite is a major challenge for Australian beekeepers, but there are plenty of resources to help manage the pest and protect honey bee populations. The AgriFutures Australia Varroa Destructor Research Strategy (2024-2027) outlines the plan for future research, while the National Honey Bee Breeding Strategy offers guidance on strengthening bee populations. The National Varroa Mite Management Program offers a comprehensive framework for managing the mite, including pest control strategies and biosecurity guidelines. The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) has made available a Varroa Chemical Treatment Table that lists approved treatments, as well as critical information on Withholding Periods to ensure safe use of chemicals. For practical advice, AHBIC podcasts and interviews offer insights from industry experts, while the [...]

Go to Top