Landholders in the Hilltops are on alert as increasing mice numbers are reported across the state. In areas of the Riverina there have been anecdotal estimates of 40 to 80 mice per hectare.
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A bumper summer grain harvest has provided ideal conditions for increased mice activity, Grains Research and Development Corporation grower relations manager Graeme Sandral explained.
"Mouse plagues can occur when there is ample food and good shelter or ground cover in paddocks. We've had a particularly good 2020 season in grain production and many pasture paddocks have excellent ground cover. Cropping systems with high yields often have about two per cent grain loss during harvest which is a great food supply for mice," he said.
"Crop stubble provides great bedding for young mice and good protection for adults. In pastures where there is dry residue and grass seeds the same situation occurs."
Mr Sandral said there is some anxiety among landholders at the moment as mice numbers "could continue to increase rapidly".
He suggests putting "chew cards" in paddocks to get an indication of the level of mice activity, in specific areas on-farm so targeted baiting could happen before winter cereal crop sowing.
"The cards are worth using. You can download and print them off the GRDC website. They give a great indication of high, medium or low numbers. Soak the cards in canola oil and then put 10 out 10m apart in the paddock."
Mr Sandral said another complicating factor is recent rain events which has resulted in seed germination and a disappearing food source for increasing populations of mice.
"In theses circumstances mice can migrate to other food sources and damage silo bags where farmers have stored grain in paddocks," he said.
"When food sources disappear mice will migrate to sheds, houses, and urban settings. So our cousins in town might experience more mice activity now as well. When we move into winter a range of diseases often reduces mice populations. When food gets short, they will cannibalise their young and that's a recipe for disease."
During high mice numbers the two main management strategies are burning stubble to destroy shelter, and baiting before or after seeding, Mr Sandral said.
Residents can download the feral scan app and help GRDC track mouse populations and activity.
In an indication of the concern farmers have about the current mouse situation more than 400 people have registered for the GRDC's mouse management webinar tomorrow (Friday) morning.
Click here to for more information.
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