Mouse numbers in Sydney spike as plague in rural NSW deepens

Mouse numbers are building up in Western Sydney after a near perfect breeding year for mice in the grain belt and many parts of Western NSW. Outer Sydney suburbs have been experiencing increasing numbers of mice for some months and now that winter is upon us, those rodents are attempting to move inside our houses.
Ms KATRINA HODGKINSON (Burrinjuck—Minister for Primary Industries, and Minister for Small Business) has stated in parliament that in her electoratewhich takes in Young and Gundagai, there have been reports of as many as 8000 mice per hectare which is worrying as it is generally accepted that 200 mice per hectare can cause serious economic damage. see full transcript
When there is a good season for cropping it is almost invariably also a very good year for mouse numbers to increase. Mice eat a varied diet however prefer the grains and seeds found on crops and even on weeds growing in the wild. This causes an upsurge in the mouse population and can lead to infestations in homes, shops and restaurants. One breeding pair of mice can be responsible for the production of over one hundred offspring in a year.

The best cure is prevention. Try these tips

Seal any gaps cracks and crevices.
A mouse can fit through a hole the size of a ten cent piece.
Use steel wool to seal small holes.
Ensure that garbage bin lids are on tight.
Remove food sources such as cat or dog food.
Place any bread or fruit that may be left out on benches overnight in a sealed container.
Ensure that all foodstuffs in the pantry are in sealed containers.
Clean up spills quickly.
Keep grass and weeds to a minimum around the house.
Clean up overflow bird seed around bird cages.
Install seals along the bottom of doors.
Pick up, or pick, any fruit in the yard when ripe, or when it has fallen from trees.

One homeowner in Tahmoor in Sydney's South West had such a mouse infestation that when Pestec arrived to carry out a treatment for the rodents, there were two dustpans full of droppings collected in the garage alone. Another Homeowner had some severe damage caused to her internal walls when her overzealous dog scratched through the walls in several places to get to the mice.
There appears to be no end in sight to the plague in the grain belt. In built up areas, where we can only control our own homes and yard, we need to keep a high level of vigilance and seek professional help early when needed.

NSW Dept of Primary industries mouse page

CSIRO frequently asked questions page

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