The National Beekeepers Association says the battle against the varroa mite may cost almost $1 billion over the next three decades.
And the association's chief executive, Daniel Paul, says there are now signs the effectiveness of the chemicals used to try to conquer the mite is diminishing.
He says there are increasing signs of resistance to the treatments that beekeepers have been using to control varroa, which has now spread throughout the country.
Mr Paul says that is not unexpected at this time in the life cycle of varroa, but it is a major concern.
He says the former organisation MAF stated that varroa would cost New Zealand about $900 million over 35 years which shows the potentially major effect of one small biosecurity breach.
August has been designated Bee Aware month, to make the non-rural public more aware of the plight and importance of honey bees to the economy.
Mr Paul says honeybees are increasingly lacking food because of the spread of pine plantations and dairying.
He says people can help by planting 'bee friendly' plants and there is a list of them available on the association's website, nba.org.nz.
Mr Paul says people should also be careful when spraying with pesticides and that includes not spraying plants when they are flowering and spraying in the evening.
He says honey bees are worth $5 billion a year to the New Zealand economy, pollinating most agri-exports, and a third of everything we eat.
