Mice plague ‘remedy’ too costly for farmers – leaving properties at mercy of relentless rodents 

The end of a horror plague that plagued communities in Eastern Australia should be in sight thanks to the development of a doubly toxic bait, but farmers say they can’t afford to buy it now.

Mice have walked widespread across large areas of inland New South Wales and parts of southern Queensland, destroying crops and severely damaging tons of stored hay and grain.

It was hoped that heavy rains and cooler temperatures would cut the numbers significantly before the winter crops were sown, but neither had much of an impact.

Farmers in western New South Wales were inundated with mouse plague in early 2020

In most of the affected cities, the mice, which can breed as early as six weeks and produce a litter every 21 days, continue to wreak havoc.

However, thanks to research by the Australian National Science Agency, an emergency permit has been issued that will allow bait makers to double the toxicity of their product.

The bait is still used at the same amount, but it has twice as much deadly zinc phosphide on each grain.

CSIRO researcher Steve Henry says that since mice quickly develop an aversion to the bait, it is important that any grain is a lethal dose and that the animals don’t get a chance to learn to avoid it.

The Australian farmer finds thousands of mice in his barn

“One of my coworkers calls it the seedy curry effect … if you go out, have something to eat, come home and feel sick, you won’t be going back to this restaurant in a while,” Henry told AAP.

The effectiveness of the higher-dose bait has so far only been tested in a laboratory, but there is hope that the development can drastically reduce the pests within weeks.

The higher-dose bait should hit the market soon and will only cost farmers about a dollar more per kilogram.

But NSW Farmers says a lot of growers can’t get their hands on bait.

Under a special permit, mouse baits have double the toxicity of exterminating the rodents

The product is already in short supply, demand is skyrocketing and farmers’ coffers are almost empty.

The organization has partnered with the Country Women’s Association to seek a financial aid package for mouse plague that will provide up to $ 25,000 per farm to cover bait costs.

A survey of 1,100 farmers across the state found that 94 percent had already baited mice.

“Survey results also showed that the cost of baiting to some is more than $ 150,000,” said Matthew Madden, chairman of NSW Farmers’ Grains Committee.

In addition to farmers’ financial troubles, a third reported stored grain and forage losses between $ 50,000 and $ 150,000. Five percent said they lost more than $ 250,000.

Steve Henry of CSIRO said it was important that any grain be a lethal dose as mice learn to avoid bait

Some growers had to give up their entire summer harvest, and around 40 percent less sowed in winter.

More than 80 percent of those surveyed also indicated damage to machines and infrastructure. Around a third said the damage bill was between $ 20,000 and $ 150,000.

The health and psychological costs are also immense.

Bartender farmer Lisa Minogue said she washed 38 loads in three days.

‘The smell is awful. You can pick up all the mice you see, but there are always more, ”she said.

The mice have even found their way into rural hospitals and bit patients, and the local health district has reported an increase in mice-induced diseases.

Many farmers say that after the thousands they have already spent, they cannot afford bait

“It’s not just farms, but also regional hotels, retail and food companies, bakeries, supermarkets, day care centers and nursing homes,” said Danica Leys, managing director of CWA.

‘All of these financial and health impacts can be traced back to unprecedented drought, catastrophic bushfires and recent floods in large areas.

“It is time for the state government to act.”