A TINY parasite which has virtually wiped out wild colonies of honey bees is the subject of a talk being held in Tavistock next month.
The parasite, a mite called varroa, was first found in Torquay in April 1992 and has now spread throughout the whole of the British Isles.
Although many beekeepers in the country gave up keeping bees due to infestations of the mite, control of varroa has been maintained by remaining keepers who use a safe chemical strip inside the beehive.
But the tiny mite is now beginning to prove resistant to the chemical and infestations have been found on the North Devon/North Cornwall border by the regional bee inspector.
Devon Beekeepers? Association (DBKA) is working in partnership with the National Bee Unit to prevent resistant varroa spreading to the rest of the country, and talks by the regional bee inspector and his department are being held throughout Devon giving information about alternative methods of Varroa control.
The West Devon area talk is at Kelly College on Saturday March 1 at 2pm. Attendance is free of charge and the meeting is open to all beekeepers, including non-members of DBKA. Further information can be obtained from Glyn Berrington on 01822 840418 or Henry Morris on 01822 613727.