Farmers are worried a second mouse plague could hit NSW

Fears are growing that NSW’s mouse plague - which caused hundreds of thousands of dollars - could return. Here is why.

NSW could be struck by back-to-back mouse plagues, with fears an outbreak this spring could eclipse the horror infestation of earlier this year which shredded hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of crops.

Farmers across the state have been urged “to get on the front foot” and start baiting early, amid fears that masses of rodents have survived through the winter.

“What farmers are saying to me is that they’re seeing greater numbers of mice in the paddock and around hay sheds than last year,” NSW Farmers vice president Xavier Martin said.

“That’s the problem … the population of the vermin in the landscape is already greater than this time last year.

Farmers from across the state reported catching hundreds of mice a night earlier this year, like at this farm in Pilliga. Picture: Paul Phelps

“I’ve gone out and inspected my own crops just to see myself the level of active holes, and the active holes are definitely there.

“It’s an emerging problem which hopefully won’t turn into another plague, but everyone needs to be alert.”

It comes after the latest CSIRO report stated there was already high numbers of mice being reported throughout regional NSW, with “urgent action” required to minimise damage and losses ahead of the spring breeding boom.

“Excellent conditions” including plentiful harvests had helped sustain rodent numbers over the winter, when they usually drop off, according to the report.

Farmers have been warned to keep an eye out for live mice ahead of the spring breeding boom.

CSIRO research officer Steve Henry said while mouse numbers usually plateau through the winter, the outbreak earlier this year could act as a springboard into back-to-back plagues.

“What concerns us is we went into winter with a high number of mice, and when they start breeding again, they start breeding from a higher population base.”