SCIENTISTS have announced they may have found a way to halt the rapid decline in world honey bee numbers.

The blood sucking varroa mite is the biggest killer of bees and is lethal in the freezing weather when depleted bee colonies do not have enough bees huddled together to keep warm .

It has also developed a resistance to beekeepers’ medication.

But now, researchers from the government’s National Bee Unit and Aberdeen University think they have found a way to make the mite self-destruct.

The news has been welcomed by David Rea, chairman of Sidcup Beekeepers.

He said: “Dealing with varroa is one of the most difficult problems for modern beekeepers, as we all dislike using chemicals unless absolutely necessary.”

Mr Rea said the Sidcup club had gained lots of new members in recent months, all keen to “do their bit” to help the honey bees survive.

He added: “Our training courses and practical tuition at the club devote a lot of time to coping with such parasites, so this research breakthrough may be very welcome.”

The breakthrough uses the Nobel prizewinning RNA interference theory which controls the flow of genetic information, to “silence” the natural functions of the mite’s genes.

Tests by other scientists have shown the treatment can be introduced into hives through bee food where the varroa hides.

Dr Giles Budge from the National Bee Unit, said: “This cutting edge treatment is environmentally friendly and poses no threat to the bees.”

He estimates chemical-free medicines could be available in five years.

Bees’ work in pollinating crops is worth an estimated £200m a year to Britain’s economy.