Farmers are being urged to monitor mouse numbers on their farms as they head into spring.
Visiting Swan Hill, Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said Department of Primary Industries (DPI) monitoring in the Wimmera and Mallee in late autumn and winter has found significant but highly variable mouse activity.
“DPI staff conducted counts in early May and then followed up in the same paddocks in mid July,” Mr Helper said.
“While in some places mouse numbers had declined to almost none, in other locations significant populations of mice still existed in July.
“Even on individual farms, some paddocks had no evidence of mice while others were significantly infested.
“These results highlight the need for growers to conduct monitoring to understand the situation on their farm.”
Mr Helper said significant mouse sightings had been reported as far north as the New South Wales border to south of Horsham. Sightings had also been reported as far east as Echuca and St Arnaud.
“DPI will continue to work with the farming community on monitoring mouse numbers and providing advice to farmers to minimise the damage they could potentially cause,” Mr Helper said.
DPI Mouse Advisory Committee Convener Banjo Patterson said evidence of grain spilt at harvest was a common sight in paddocks where populations remained high.
“The population may continue to decline but where they have a food source, significant numbers could be expected to survive into spring and start breeding,” Mr Patterson said.
“Growers who monitor and find significant populations should consult their local advisors and consider baiting where appropriate.
“If baiting is warranted, only registered products must be used. Mixing non registered baits could prove more costly than the registered product, be less effective and place at risk a number of non-target animals.”
Further information on mouse control is available on the DPI web site, www.dpi.vic.gov.au
(Audio available from www.premier.vic.gov.au)