A mouse plague has broken out, here's what you need to know
A mouse plague is currently affecting parts of Western and South Australia, with millions of rodents causing significant damage. Farmers are struggling to control the population, as standard bait has proven ineffective due to the abundance of food available to the mice. An emergency permit has been issued for the use of double-strength bait to help reduce the numbers more effectively.
- ▪Mice began breeding extensively after the summer's grain harvest in Western Australia.
- ▪Some towns in Western Australia are experiencing severe infestations in homes and public buildings.
- ▪The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has approved the use of double-strength bait to combat the mouse plague.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Will double-strength bait stop Western and South Australia's mouse plague?By Joanna PrendergastABC Midwest & WheatbeltTopic:Agricultural Pest ControlWed 20 May 2026 at 7:00amWed 20 May 2026 at 7:00amWed 20 May 2026 at 7:00amFarmers and others in the community are battling to clean up dead mice daily. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis)abc.net.au/news/wa-mouse-plague-what-you-need-to-know/106696538Link copiedShareShare articleAs people sleep in parts of Australia, mice are hidden in their beds biting their fingers, chewing machinery wiring and hoses, destroying grain crops, and rotting in streets. Some regions are in the grip of a mouse plague on a scale not seen since 2021. Millions of rodents have been wreaking havoc for months.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).