Moving bees and hives

Movement records

Queensland beekeepers who wish to move bees outside their property must create a movement record prior to that movement.

This requirement applies to:

• buying or selling bees
• moving colonised beehives
• all beekeepers—registered, unregistered, commercial and recreational.

You do not have to keep a movement record if you are moving bees within your property:

• For one-off movements of bees where a permit is not required, complete the single-use record movement form.
• If you regularly move bees or hives, contact the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to request a Movement and Apiary Record book for Queensland beekeepers.

Your records must be kept readily accessible and legible for 2 years after the movement starts and produced when requested by a biosecurity officer. Penalties apply if movement records are not maintained or produced when requested.

Into Queensland

Queensland is no longer a varroa mite biosecurity zone.

Beekeepers are now able to move varroa mite carriers from infested jurisdictions into Queensland without applying for a permit. All beekeepers must meet their general biosecurity obligations when moving bees, beehives and equipment.

You can move bees, beehives, used beekeeping equipment or bee products (including unprocessed honey) into and around Queensland and encourage the hives and apiary equipment be quarantine-secured, and varroa mite loading is below seasonal thresholds.

Slow the spread

To help slow the spread of varroa mite in Queensland, we recommend:

• completing education and training in early detection and integrated pest management techniques
• monitoring hives monthly and reporting results to the Bee 123 form, even if no mites are found
• using decontamination practices between apiaries and always come clean and leave clean
• undertaking a pre-departure hive health check and reporting the results to the Bee 123 form
• using barrier systems when varroa mite is present to help protect your own and neighbouring apiaries
• undertaking hive health checks and reporting results at all subsequent new locations
• using the varroa mite surveillance map to inform your decisions on new hive locations
• applying integrated pest management practices appropriately.

If varroa mite is found in your hive, you must report it immediately to Biosecurity Queensland. It is your general biosecurity obligation to report varroa mite and manage the risk posed to the broader beekeeping industry.

Moving through states where varroa mite has been found

Check if there are movement controls or restrictions for the states or territories you are transiting through before moving bees or equipment.

As part of your general biosecurity obligations, you are expected to travel through states or territories with varroa mite (including Queensland):

• using a direct route
• ensuring your bees and equipment are quarantine secure.

Quarantine-secured transport means preventing access and escape by bees while in transit. For example, loads of hives are covered in shade cloth or netting.

Australian native bees are not subject to requirements as they are not susceptible to varroa.

To other states and territories

You must follow movement control requirements in the states or territories you are moving from and transiting through. Each state or territory has its own requirements for the movement of bees, bee products and used beekeeping equipment.

Check if there are movement controls or restrictions for your intended destination before moving bees or equipment:

• Victoria
• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Western Australia.

Transport bees safely

Always move hives and apiary equipment in a quarantine-secured manner to prevent access and escape by bees while in transit.

You need to consider:

• the safety of the community
• road safety traffic laws
• the welfare of the bees.

Plan when you will stop to refuel and when you will travel through built-up areas because bright streetlights and traffic signals can cause bees to escape.

There are 3 methods of transport for moving bees:

• open entrance
• closed entrance
• netted.

Open-entrance transport

Open entrance transport is the most common way of moving beehives:

• Load the beehives at dusk or at night after the bees have settled.
• Transport them during the night.
• Unload the hives either upon arrival at your destination or at first light the next day.

Closed-entrance transport

You can move beehives using a conventional station wagon or sedan, if the beehive is fitted with adequate ventilation. This method allows you to move the hive a short distance and unload it without being stung.

Move beehives at night when temperatures have cooled and all bees are at home in the hive.

Netted-bee transport

Beehives can be moved at any time using nets, however it's best to load beehives at dusk or night when temperatures are cooler.

Depending on your location, you can move netted beehives during daylight hours provided temperatures are not too high.

Secure the nets around the beehives so that the bees remain contained during transit.