You may have heard some news reports about a new infestation of varroa mites that are infecting millions of bees in NSW, threatening the whole of Australia's honey industry as beekeepers are being forced to destroy tens of thousands of hives.

But what exactly are these tiny insects, why is this happening now, and what is the risk to all of Australia's agricultural sector if there are not enough bees left to pollinate our crops?

The Quicky speaks to a beekeeper and an expert in food resources to find out if this could destroy Australia's honey industry, or if there is a way to turn this situation to our advantage.

Subscribe to Mamamia

GET IN TOUCH

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au

CONTACT US

Got a topic you'd like us to cover? Send us an email at thequicky@mamamia.com.au

CREDITS 

Host: Claire Murphy

With thanks to:

Sue Carney - Vice President of Amateur Beekeepers Australia, founding president of Blue Mountains Beekeepers and keeps bees in Langstroth, Flow and Warre hives

Associate Professor Patrick O'Connor - An ecologist in the Centre for Global Food and Resources at the University of Adelaide

Producer: Claire Murphy

Executive Producer: Siobhán Moran-McFarlane

Audio Producer: Thom Lion

Subscribe to The Quicky at... https://mamamia.com.au/the-quicky/

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Just by reading our articles or listening to our podcasts, you’re helping to fund girls in schools in some of the most disadvantaged countries in the world - through our partnership with Room to Read. We’re currently funding 300 girls in school every day and our aim is to get to 1,000. Find out more about Mamamia at mamamia.com.auv