NSW government offers $50 million package to tackle mouse plague

Farmers, households and businesses offered $50 million relief package to fight against plague crippling the state’s central west.

After surviving drought, embattled residents in NSW’s central west are now engaged in a new war - this one with rodents. Picture: Rebecca Hind

The NSW government will outlay $50 million on an emergency ‘mouse trap’ package to help regional farmers, households and businesses in their fight against the plague of mice which is devastating crops across the state’s central west.

Under the package, eligible farmers will receive free baiting through grain treatment, while affected rural households and small businesses will be able to apply for rebates to cover the cost of baiting.

Mice running through a grain storage shed on a NSW farm. Picture: Lochie Roberts

Speaking to 2GB radio, Minister Agriculture Adam Marshall said an emergency request has been lodged with the federal government’s Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to approve Bromadiolone which is currently “outlawed”.

“[It’s] the strongest mouse poison in the world,” he said. “It will kill these things in 24 hours.”

Drought-breaking rain, healthy crops and warmer seasons have triggered the mouse population boom, with horrified residents describing travelling on roads covered in blankets of mice.

With the region having just overcome the devastating affects of drought, the infestation is another blow to the battled hardened locals, with Tragie farmer John Kater having to ‘burn money’.

After struggling through drought Mr Kater was elated to be producing his own crops again. However, like many farmers, relentless infestations have forced Mr Kater to burn and bury his supply.

“We had come out of a drought and had a terrific harvest and thought we would make the most of it, we made about 450 bales... then the mice got into them. We dug holes and buried whatever we could save, the rest we burnt.”

Over the course of a few months, Mr Kater estimates to have spent upwards of $20,000 in fighting the rodents. With mouse-bait in short supply, the lifelong farmer fears he is facing a losing battle.

“Even the cat has stopped chasing them. A mouse will walk right past them and she won’t even bat an eye. There are just so many.”

It’s not just wallets hurting. In Canowindra, resident Rebecca Hind described the ever-present fear that accompanies her since the invasion.

“You can’t escape it. The stench of death with them is just absolutely disgusting. Even after you mop and vacuum and you think you have found them, you will walk into your house and be gagging because of the smell.”

Warren farmer Ben Storer said they were regularly pulling up to '300 mice a night' out of their swimming pool during the plague. Picture: Supplied

“There is a sense of paranoia because you are constantly worrying about where they are.”

The mother-of-two’s days have become a relentless cycle of catching and disposing of mice.

“Before we go to bed we have to strip our sheets to make sure there is nothing there, and even then there have been times when we have been woken up by mice running over our backs.”

With two young girls, aged four and seven, Ms Hind is concerned of the health impacts of the plague.

“I am terrified of the thought of the kids getting into the poison or being hurt by the mice, we are constantly drilling into them to stay away from them, but they are literally everywhere.” The necessary-danger of using poison is being felt by regional vets, with clinics inundated with poisoned pets.

Dr Erica Kennedy, who works at Western Rivers Veterinary group says dogs are being poisoned and dying daily having consumed bait and dead mice, but owners have little choice but to turn to the toxic bait.

“The mice are just horrific. Having just come out of drought, these farmers are now having to burn their feed because of infestations, the economic cost of is immense.”