Local beekeeper Natasha Roebig says Queensland's beekeepers shouldn't panic over reports of varroa mites

Although the mite has spread through hives down south, Natasha Roebig from Bee All Natural in Jimboomba said Queensland apiarists shouldn't panic.

"It's best to be alert but not alarmed, that's the status we're at right now," Mrs Roebig said.

"We just need to be aware of what's going on, so do your regular beehive maintenance checks and keep up with your communication."

Mrs Roebig said beekeepers in Queensland had the benefit of strict biosecurity protocols and industry bodies such as Queensland Beekeepers Association (QBA) and the Biosecurity arm of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) were well-prepared.

"In Queensland we have the best biosecurity in the world," she said.

"Nearly every other country around the world has had varroa mite and we're just starting to come into contact with it now.

"If it were to come into Queensland, I understand that QBA and now Biosecurity are fully prepared for it and have processes in place that can help with deterring it [varroa mite] from coming in. If it does come in they'll get onto it pretty quickly."

Apiarists are advised by DAF to carry out sugar shake, alcohol or brood uncapping testing, and to report the results of any tests to the Department even if they do not find varroa mites.

Infected hives need to be destroyed, which could have significant impacts on the wider agricultural industry as bees are used to pollinate a substantial proportion of crops.

Mrs Roebig said community members could do a lot to help in the face of the biosecurity incursion, even if they weren't beekeepers.

"The main message for beekeepers is to register your hives," she said.

"It's free as a hobbyist, and gives Biosecurity a really good idea of beehive locations so if there's a disease outbreak that needs to be communicated to beekeepers they know exactly where to go.

"For everyone else, the best way to support beekeepers in your community is to only buy Australian honey, whether it's from a local beekeeper or from a supermarket."

The Jimboomba-based beekeeper said she and her husband Jason had also organised an online fundraiser to help support efforts to check hives in so-called 'red zones' where varroa mites had been detected.

"We communicated with QBA before we launched the fundraiser," Mrs Roebig said.

"We discussed how we could raise funds and where it would best be allocated. While QBA would absolutely benefit the Australian Honeybee Industry Council really need the help right now.

"They're working tirelessly with lots of volunteers going through all the beehives in the red zone, checking for varroa mites and destroying hives if they're infected.

"They really need the extra support."

Recreational and commercial beekeepers can submit the results of their hive inspections online using the Bee123 form or by downloading the Survey 123 app.

More information about the fundraiser can be found on the Bee All Natural Facebook page.