NSW beekeepers left with nothing after varroa mite infestation
Imagine everything you've worked hard for for 23 years destroyed in front of your eyes.
That's the reality for NSW beekeepers Denille Banham and Daniel Costa, who are grappling with the growing threat of the varroa mite.
The crippling pest weakens and kills honeybee colonies while also spreading disease, becoming detrimental to the species and the $70 million industry.
READ MORE: Former Qantas worker speaks out after High Court rules airline illegally sacked 1700 employees
The varroa mite, also known as the varroa destructor, is about the size of a sesame seed and the most serious pest for honey bees worldwide. NSW DPI
Banham and Costa's bee hives are in red zones - the NSW government's deemed eradication zones where hives have to be destroyed as varroa mites have infiltrated their colonies.
It's the greatest threat to our bee population and in a desperate race to eradicate it, nearly 300,000 hives have been wiped out so far.
Watch the full chat with Banham and Costa and their fight against the pest in the video player above.
We’d love to hear from you
Most viewed in A Current Affair
Ally Langdon breaks down as she opens up about death of best friend Gavin Larkin
Multi-aliased former bankrupt accused of ripping half a million dollars off unsuspecting businesses
Young girl victim of savage attack on bus
Talia and Ebony were physically abused by their mother. Then she was made into a TV star
