A severe mouse plague is overwhelming homes, businesses, and streets in towns north-east of Perth, including Morawa in Western Australia [1, 2].
The surge threatens the standards of living for residents and the viability of grain farming operations across the region. The infestation has reached a scale where rodents are reportedly entering bedrooms and littering public roads [2, 3].
Researchers from the CSIRO have monitored the population explosion, which was triggered by favorable breeding conditions [4, 5]. One CSIRO research officer said the situation is "well and truly above plague levels" [4]. Another researcher said the region is at plague proportions and immediate action is needed [5].
The scale of the infestation is evident in the fields, where some reports indicate up to 4,000 burrows per hectare [6]. A grain farmer said, "You literally can’t get away from them" [6].
Control efforts have been complicated by disputes over chemical interventions. While ABC News reported that a chemical regulator approved double-strength mouse baits [5], other reports indicate that farmers still do not have permission to use high-strength bait [3]. This discrepancy has delayed the implementation of more aggressive control measures as the population continues to surge [3].
Beyond Western Australia, similar population explosions have been reported in South Australia [4, 6]. Residents in the affected WA towns describe a crisis where the sheer volume of rodents has made daily life untenable, with dead mice covering the streets in some areas [3].
“"Well and truly above plague levels"”
The conflict between regulatory approval and field-level permission for high-strength baits highlights a critical gap in emergency agricultural response. When rodent populations exceed plague levels, the delay in deploying effective chemical controls can lead to significant economic losses for grain farmers and a public health crisis for rural residents.
