MANY in the Hunter were likely unaware the varroa mite existed before its arrival was detected through Newcastle's port sentinel hives in June.
On Wednesday, the saga that has brought beekeeping to a screaming halt across the region and beyond reached a tipping point, with the final infected hives due to be euthanised. The NSW Department of Primary Industries said 97 of 99 properties with a confirmed infection had been euthanised, with Mayfield and Calga properties slated for later in the day.
