Mouse management
Mouse management is a concern in many grain-growing regions. GRDC partners with CSIRO and others to enhance understanding of mouse management.
The CSIRO-led research focuses on understanding and management practices for:
- mouse ecology, biology and population dynamics for better management
- mouse surveillance
- mouse feeding preferences.
Since 2018, GRDC has invested over $8 million in mouse management RD&E.
18 Mar 2025, Growers warned of increased mouse activity
Grain growers are advised to remain vigilant by monitoring mouse numbers locally in the lead up to sowing.
12 Mar 2025, Mouse monitoring update #36
View Mouse monitoring update issue 36 for March.
8 Nov 2024, Mouse monitoring update #35
View Mouse monitoring update issue 35 for November.
26 Aug 2024, Mouse monitoring update #34
View Mouse monitoring update issue 34 for August.
24 Apr 2024, High mouse activity reported in several regions vigilance advised
All growers nationwide are encouraged to be vigilant and actively monitor mouse activity.
15 April 2024, Mouse monitoring update #33
View Mouse monitoring update issue 33 for April.
Control now a year-round activity
Until recently, explosions in mouse populations in grain-growing areas were often followed by population crashes and consecutive years of little activity and damage. However, mice now appear to have become a more persistent problem with base populations carrying over from one year to the next.
Know your mouse numbers
Growers should monitor paddocks to get an accurate idea of their mouse problem as numbers can vary significantly within a district. Monitor by walking a transect of 100 metres across the crop and counting active holes in a 1-metre-wide strip (gives an area assessed of 100 square metres).
Baiting
Mouse baiting should be conducted as soon as practical after seeding to maximise efficacy and minimise crop damage. There are a number of different approaches growers can take when it comes to spreading mouse bait, depending on the equipment they have.
GroundCover
- 22 May 2023, Mice control in the era of no-till
- 11 Apr 2023, Growers urged to be on the look-out for mice
- 23 Jan 2023, Good neighbour approach applied to mouse management
- 1 Nov 2022, Growers urged to reduce available food for mice this harvest
- 23 May 2022, Maintain vigilance to protect winter crops from mice
- 18 April 2022, Modelling looks to predict when mouse plagues will end
- 17 April 2022, Lessons learned from last plague help hone mouse strategy
- 8 Apr 2022, CSIRO tours address mouse control in WA’s regions
- 24 Jan 2022, GRDC invests in better mouse management for WA growers ahead of increased activity
- 4 Dec 2021, Genetic detective on the mouse trail
- 1 Nov 2021, Doubling down on bait to reduce mouse numbers
- 11 Aug 2021, Mallee on high alert for mouse outbreak this season
- 9 Aug 2021, Growers urged to keep monitoring mouse numbers
- 30 Jul 2021,WA growers urged to check crops for mouse damage
- 11 May 2021, Research prompts increase to recommended mouse bait concentrations
- 26 March 2021, Residual food reduction needed so mice take the bait
- 18 Feb 2021, Growers urged to drive down mouse populations with hostile approach
- 29 Jan 2021, Special forum convened to address worsening mouse issue
- 13 Dec 2020, Growers urged to bait before planting as mouse numbers rise
- 27 Nov 2020, Minimise mouse risk by reducing food source load this harvest
GRDC publications
- Mouse baiting for grain growers (18 March 2025)
- Tips and Tactics: Better Mouse Management (19 June 2019)
- GRDC Mouse Chew Card (PDF)
- GRDC Mouse Chew Card (JPEG)
Update papers
- Strategic use of zinc phosphide is critical for successful mouse control (6 Feb 2024)
- Using zinc phosphide to control wild house mice (7 Feb 2023)
- Grains Research Update - The situation with mice – what’s happening and what can we do about it? (19 June 2019)
- Mice- status, baiting and forecast threat (12 Feb 2019)
- Monitoring Mice in Australia (13 Feb 2018)
Videos and podcasts
- GRDC Grains Research Update, online – Mouse update – spring management in winter crops and in the lead up to summer crop sowing
- Controlling mice during the 2021-22 cropping season
- Mouse Management Online Workshop – Western Region
- Mouse Management Workshop - May 2021
- CSIRO mouse expert, Steve Henry presents: Mouse Plague Update (Pt 1)
- Mouse Plague Update (Pt 2) - 29 Apr 2021
- GRDC Mouse Control Webinar, hosted by GRDC
- Q&A from webinar
- mouse control webinar video - 28 March 2020
- Options for mouse bait application - part 1 of Mouse Control: Practical tips on baiting set-u - 2 May 2018
- Mice Control - a challenge for conservation farming - 20 Aug 2012