BUMPER crops and wet and windy weather at harvest is likely to leave more grain on the ground than usual, fuelling a potential swell in Victoria’s mouse population.
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Grains Research and Development Corporation said growers in both South Australia and Victoria were advised to reduce the amount of residual food available for mice and closely monitor mice numbers and activity.
CSIRO researcher Steve Henry, who has been surveying mouse activity for a Grains Research and Development Corporation-funded project, said heavy rainfall during spring would further build-up populations of mice, especially in north-west Victoria.
He said there was a high likelihood of a mice outbreak this autumn in the state’s north-west.
Mr Henry said mouse numbers remained relatively low at monitoring sites but he had noted mice started breeding earlier than usual in the Victorian Mallee and Adelaide Plains in South Australia.
“We expect numbers will increase over summer and autumn, particularly given a good supply of food and favourable weather conditions through summer,” he said.
“Growers should remain vigilant and act accordingly to prevent damage at sowing.”
According to the GRDC’s Mouse Control Fact Sheet, mouse plagues usually follow a year of high grain production, particularly with heavy early or late-season rain.
Mr Henry encouraged growers and advisers to report and map mouse presence, absence and level of activity using MouseAlert (www.mousealert.org.au) so others can see the scale and extent of localised mouse activity.
“We need more producers using MouseAlert so that the project can deliver more accurate forecasts of regional changes in mouse numbers,” he said.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
