Blog icon

Tackling Australia's persistent mouse problem

In partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation(GRDC), we're working to enhance our understanding of mouse ecology, biology and management.

Our aim is to provide better solutions for controlling an increasing prevalence of mice in Australian grain-growing regions, supporting Australian businesses, families and communities.Picture of mouse in wheat stubble.

Mouse plagues can wipe out thousands of hectares of crops

Where there are grain crops in Australia, there are usually mice.

While many crops can thrive unaffected where mouse populations are low, high populations can cause significant damage, destroying thousands of hectares of crop, contaminating stored grain, and spreading disease.

For reasons not yet known to scientists, mouse plagues only occur in China and Australia. In 1993, Australia's worst ever mouse plague caused an estimated $96 million worth of damage.

Mice are the ultimate breeding machine

Mice are prolific breeders. They can give birth to a litter of up to 10 offspring every 20 days, and they can fall pregnant as soon as they have given birth. Often, they reach near plague proportions before farmers are even aware of a problem.

At these numbers, mice are difficult and costly to control.

'A mouse population density of about 800-1000 mice/ha is considered a mouse plague. Anything over 200 mice/ha is said to cause economic damage'.

A mouse trap set up in a wheat field

High mouse populations are becoming a persistent problem

Until recently, spikes in mouse populations had been followed by population crashes and subsequent years free from problematic mouse numbers.

Now, higher populations are becoming a persistent, rather than intermittent, problem.

No-till farming provides food and shelter for mice

Current farming systems may inadvertently contribute to the increased prevalence of high mouse populations, providing the right conditions, like shelter and food, for mice to survive year-round.

Where farmers would once prepare soil for their crop through ploughing and land preparation, now, they are leaving their soil undisturbed.Two CSIRO researchers in wheat field examining a caught mouse.

Called no-till farming, this practice leaves heavy stubble and plant residues on the soil, protecting it from sun and wind, but providing a friendly environment for mice to thrive.

Surveillance and early detection are key for mouse control

Preventing mouse plagues and their devastating effects on Australian crops starts with appropriate practices and precautions for minimising food availability to mice.

Then, mouse monitoring and early detection are key.

Through detecting changes in mouse populations early–at least two months prior to sowing–growers can proactively employ control methods to deter a detrimental population spike.

Working with the GRDC, CSIRO scientists are leading new research to better detect, monitor and control mouse populations, focussing on three key areas:

  • understanding mouse ecology, biology and management
  • increasing surveillance
  • investigating mouse feeding preference.

Tackling Australia's persistent mouse problem

In partnership with the Grains Research and Development Corporation(GRDC), we're working to enhance our understanding of mouse ecology, biology and management.

Our aim is to provide better solutions for controlling an increasing prevalence of mice in Australian grain-growing regions, supporting Australian businesses, families and communities.

Mouse in wheat stubble.

Mouse plagues can wipe out thousands of hectares of crops

Where there are grain crops in Australia, there are usually mice.

While many crops can thrive unaffected where mouse populations are low, high populations can cause significant damage, destroying thousands of hectares of crop, contaminating stored grain, and spreading disease.

For reasons not yet known to scientists, mouse plagues only occur in China and Australia. In 1993, Australia's worst ever mouse plague caused an estimated $96 million worth of damage.

Mice are the ultimate breeding machine

Mice are prolific breeders. They can give birth to a litter of up to 10 offspring every 20 days, and they can fall pregnant as soon as they have given birth. Often, they reach near plague proportions before farmers are even aware of a problem.

At these numbers, mice are difficult and costly to control.

'A mouse population density of about 800-1000 mice/ha is considered a mouse plague. Anything over 200 mice/ha is said to cause economic damage'.

A mouse trap set up in a wheat field
Longworth mouse trap used to monitor mouse populations in a wheat crop.

High mouse populations are becoming a persistent problem

Until recently, spikes in mouse populations had been followed by population crashes and subsequent years free from problematic mouse numbers.

Now, higher populations are becoming a persistent, rather than intermittent, problem.

No-till farming provides food and shelter for mice

Current farming systems may inadvertently contribute to the increased prevalence of high mouse populations, providing the right conditions, like shelter and food, for mice to survive year-round.

Where farmers would once prepare soil for their crop through ploughing and land preparation, now, they are leaving their soil undisturbed.

CSIRO mouse researchers processing a captured mouse in the field. ©  Sharyn Watt

Called no-till farming, this practice leaves heavy stubble and plant residues on the soil, protecting it from sun and wind, but providing a friendly environment for mice to thrive.

Surveillance and early detection are key for mouse control

Preventing mouse plagues and their devastating effects on Australian crops starts with appropriate practices and precautions for minimising food availability to mice.

Then, mouse monitoring and early detection are key.

Through detecting changes in mouse populations early–at least two months prior to sowing–growers can proactively employ control methods to deter a detrimental population spike.

Working with the GRDC, CSIRO scientists are leading new research to better detect, monitor and control mouse populations, focussing on three key areas:

  • understanding mouse ecology, biology and management
  • increasing surveillance
  • investigating mouse feeding preference.

Contact us

Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!

CSIRO will handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy.


First name must be filled in

Surname must be filled in

I am representing *

Please choose an option

Please provide a subject for the enquriy

0 / 100

We'll need to know what you want to contact us about so we can give you an answer

0 / 1900

You shouldn't be able to see this field. Please try again and leave the field blank.