House mouse

Background

The house mouse likely arrived in Australia with the First Fleet. Mice are now found all over Australia, and due to their close association with human activity, are most common in agricultural and urban areas.

The introduced house mouse should not be confused with native rodents, pygmy possums or marsupial mice.

Impacts

Mice have little impact when numbers are low. When conditions are favourable, they can breed exponentially and become a serious pest.

In South Australia, mouse plagues occur every 4 to 6 years, causing substantial economic and social hardship. This is most problematic in low rainfall, cereal-growing areas where they devastate sown crops.

Mice can damage infrastructure and furnishing by chewing on wiring, upholstery and motors. They impact on pig and poultry farmers through consuming feed and attacking stock, causing stress and injury.

Mice also pose a health risk to humans and livestock as they can transmit disease.

Controlling mice

Landholders are responsible for controlling mice on their properties under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. The most effective methods are:

• reducing food sources
• reducing available shelter
• baiting
• monitoring their presence through mouse sightings, burrows, droppings and crop damage.

There are registered bait products available to control mice. Your local chemical retailer can advise on the right product for your circumstances.

Bait mixing stations are also available, allowing farmers to have poison bait mixed into their own grain.

Reporting

MouseAlert is a tool for reporting mice, including management activities undertaken and photos of their impacts.

The information is used to identify practical solutions and coordinate control. Complete a MouseAlert report and help to identify the risk of mouse plagues in your area.

Seasonal report – August 2024

Mouse numbers are considered to be low across South Australia.

We recommend that you:

1. Monitor crops for sign of mouse activity.
2. Bait if mouse damage is evident in maturing crops.
3. Ensure a clean harvest to minimise food availability for mice.
4. Control weeds and grasses.
5. Mouse-proof houses, and grain and food storages.
6. Apply baits around buildings.

More information

• About house mice – Pestsmart
• Prevention and control of rats and mice – SA Health
• Tackling Australia's persistent mouse problem – CSIRO

Contact

For advice on mouse control specific to your situation, contact your local agronomist.

For advice on using poison baits, contact:

Biosecurity SA – Rural Chemicals Operations
Phone: 1300 799 684
Email: PIRSA.RuralChemicals@sa.gov.au