Mice plague Victoria: Mildura, Albury Wodonga farmer fears as rodents migrate

A mice plague that has ravaged NSW and QLD communities could be heading for Victoria with the tiny terrors seen after dark.

Mice plagues have ravaged parts of NSW and southern Queensland. Pic: Geoff Wilson

A mice plague in southern Queensland and NSW is spilling into Victoria, with farmers as far south as Echuca spotting rodents.

Victorian’s are being urged to watch and act as an increase of mice have been spotted creeping around farms north of the border at night.

Victorian Farmers’ Federation grains president Ashley Fraser warned farmers to be “cautious and wary” of the mice, which can destroy grain crops.

Mr Fraser has a Rutherglen farm and seed business and said he had spotted mice on his farm at night.

“We’re seeing more numbers than we’d usually see when we move around at night, but not enough to have an impact,” Mr Fraser said.

“You hear people talking about mice getting into sheds and things.

“If you drew a line across the state at about he level of Echuca, you’re probably seeing some mice in higher numbers, but not plague proportions.

“Plague proportions would be north of Wagga — Parkes and Condobolin were hit hard.”

As the mice continue to head south, Mr Fraser said it was time to “watch and act”.

“Keep an eye on numbers and be vigilant with baiting,” he said.

“Make sure you’ve got your baits ordered in preparation.

“If the numbers do increase, fingers crossed the cold weather will have a significant impact on the breeding of the mice.”

Mr Fraser said spring and summer had provided the perfect conditions for mice to breed.

“There’s been a lot for them to eat with a bumper harvest, the weather has been mild, they’ve had the right conditions,” he said.

Agriculture Victoria natural disasters and emergencies manager Banjo Patterson said increased mice numbers were not widespread across the state.

“Agriculture Victoria is currently aware of some parts of the state where there are patches of increased mice populations, but this is not widespread,” Mr Patterson said.

“If there are any farmers that are concerned about any local increases in mice numbers there are commercial baits available.

“Increased numbers of mice on some domestic premises may give the impression that mice numbers are significantly increasing across the landscape, however, this is not necessarily the case.”

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