Controlling mice at sowing
Monitor mice to prevent crop damage
Last year's extensive crop damage from mice has DAFWA officers urging growers in the Mid, West and South Coast regions to monitor mice activity.
This autumn, seasonal conditions have led to high mouse numbers in the Mid, West and localised parts of the South Coast, especially where hail damage left feed on the ground.
GRDC crop protection manager Rohan Rainbow said farmers should consider altering their sowing techniques, monitoring newly-sown crops for mice damage and using commercial mice baits to control mice numbers. For pest managment materials, visit www.grdc.com.au/pestlinks
The risk of mice eating seed and germinating seedlings is a potential problem for Wimmera Mallee farmers this sowing season with high mice population numbers across the region. Mice could be particularly problematic in paddocks where head loss occurred at harvest. The recent rainfall will not have much of an effect on mouse populations but cold and wet weather will slow population growth.
So what can farmers do?
- Hold off on baiting until just before or after sowing as mouse numbers can build up again after baiting.
- Mouseoff® is the product of choice at 1kg/ha but should not be used before heavy rainfall.
- No-till paddocks with press wheel furrows will provide nice tracks for mice to follow while digging up seed so be especially vigilant in monitoring these situations.
- Thresholds for baiting are lower than you might think:
- 2 active holes per 100m transect
- 10% canola card area eaten
- 2 mice in 20 traps
For more information see What constitutes a mouse problem? (PDF - 200KB) and MOUSEOFF® Zinc Phosphide Bait (PDF - 842KB) or visit http://www.animalcontrol.com.au/
Mouse numbers can build rapidly in the right conditions, leading to crop damage throughout the growing season. Early detection of an increasing mouse population is essential if effective control is to be implemented. For more information read On-going control of mice.