Mouse Control Webinar

Mouse Control Webinar

Mouse activity continues to be of concern across many grain growing regions of Australia.

A mouse control webinar was held on Wednesday, 28th March from 12:00-1:00pm AEDT, hosted by the GRDC. You can view the recording of the Mouse Control Webinar below or on the GRDC Youtube channel.

Should you have any questions relating to the webinar, please email us at mice@grdc.com.au

Grain growers who have monitored mice through summer and early autumn and applied baits early should now be considering baiting at seeding, or within 24 hours of seeding to reduce the impact of mice on winter crops.

While ongoing monitoring is an important part of all mouse control strategies those growers, who still have six weeks until they start seeding are now advised to check mouse numbers in the paddock and apply bait if needed.

Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Manager Pests Leigh Nelson says the organisation is currently working to help growers maximise bait effectiveness and paddock application this season amidst reports of increased mouse activity in the grain growing regions of NSW and Queensland.

Five quick tips for mouse control at seeding:

  • Apply broad scale zinc phosphide bait: According to the label, at the prescribed rate of 1kg/ha.
  • Apply bait at seeding or within 24 hours: While seed is still covered by soil increasing the likelihood of mice taking the bait, prior to finding the seed. Rebait through the season as needed.
  • Timing is critical: Delays of 4-5 days in baiting after seeding can give mice time to find crop seed. High populations can cause up to 5% damage each night.
  • Minimise sources of food and shelter: Control weeds and volunteer crops along fence lines, clean up residual grain by grazing or rolling stubbles
  • Monitor paddocks: Check paddocks regularly and update local data using the MouseAlert website.

Dr Nelson says the GRDC understands the challenges facing growers when it comes to effective mouse control and are committed to working with them to overcome the issues.

"Broad scale application of zinc phosphide bait at the prescribed rate of one kilogram per hectare is currently the only method available to growers to control mice in their paddocks," she says.

“However the GRDC and our research partners are working to try to address gaps in knowledge and other challenges through new approaches – to improve the efficacy of zinc phosphide baiting, to better understand mouse ecology and no-till systems and develop innovative alternative control tactics.”

Dr Nelson says effective mouse control hinges on keeping informed of paddock populations, so regular monitoring was critical with growers encouraged to bait when mouse activity was significant (1 burrow per square metre) at the recommended rate of 1kg/ha.

“Ongoing monitoring is critical to guide decision making for growers with bait able to be re-applied after 14 days as needed,” she says.

Know your mouse numbers

When and how should I bait?

How many applications of bait are required?

Modifying machinery for baiting

Useful Resources

GRDC Research Codes

IAC00002


Disclaimer: Any recommendations, suggestions or opinions contained in this publication do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Grains Research and Development Corporation. No person should act on the basis of the contents of this publication without first obtaining specific, independent, professional advice. The Corporation and contributors to this publication may identify products by proprietary or trade names to help readers identify particular types of products. We do not endorse or recommend the products of any manufacturer referred to. Other products may perform as well as or better than those specifically referred to. The GRDC will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising by reason of any person using or relying on the information in this publication.

CAUTION: RESEARCH ON UNREGISTERED PESTICIDE USE
Any research with unregistered pesticides or of unregistered products reported in this document does not constitute a recommendation for that particular use by the authors or the authors’ organisations. All pesticide applications must accord with the currently registered label for that particular pesticide, crop, pest and region.