Neil says numerous reports indicate high levels of mouse activity across Australia, with extremely high numbers recorded in Western Australia, moderate to high activity emerging in South Australia, particularly across the Adelaide Plains and Yorke Peninsula.
He says some regions in NSW and Queensland are also reporting a rise in mouse activity
“In Western Australia, numbers are rapidly increasing with some paddocks seeing as many as 8000 mice per hectare and between 3000 to 4000 active burrows (source: CSIRO),” Neil explains.
“Therefore, it is critical for resellers to recognise population rise early to support farmers/growers with timely monitoring, stock availability and to meet rapidly increasing demand to ensure effective mouse management,” he says.
Key facts around mice you need to know
Mice start breeding at just 6-8 weeks of age producing litters of 6-10 mice and can fall pregnant three days later so can produce litters every 19-21 days – so if you have 300 female mice per hectare that will be 1800 per hectare in three weeks.
Currently we are experiencing ideal conditions for rapid population growth with sufficient rainfall and food sources being available.
As the mouse numbers can multiply with favourable conditions, early activity can quickly turn into a widespread issue, creating dual pressure for resellers.
Supporting growers with effective control solution while also managing timely and sufficient bait supply during peak periods is crucial.
Make sure your mouse management plan is in place ahead of time – so you can proactively manage the risk.
Any mouse activity poses is a risk to crops
Signs of mice activity include chewed stems, damage to seed heads and/or debris at the base of the plant.
They target freshly sown seeds often before crop emergence leading to significant crop damage and huge financial and yield loss to farmers and the Australian agricultural industry.
Resellers need to be monitoring and acting now
Resellers are urged to proactively engage with growers and emphasise the importance of monitoring using either chew cards or burrow counts.
Make sure adequate stock of Mouseoff ZP (25g/kg) is available in the supply chain as with the ongoing scenario, demand can increase dramatically as the mouse numbers escalate.
Stock now and encourage the growers to act now with Mouseoff ZP (25g/kg).
Mouseoff ZP is a proven control option for mouse infestation.
Baiting now will reduce breeding bases for mice and damage to crops, while also positioning your business as a trusted advisor during critical periods.
A proven control option
Mouseoff Zinc Phosphide Bait (25g/kg) has more than 25 years of proven protection saving millions of hectares across Australia from mouse damage.
Highly effective, fast-acting and cost-efficient, Mouseoff ZP is manufactured from graded, cleaned, certified and ion sterilised wheat (a process which kills pathogens as well as inactivating the grain), coated with zinc phosphide (25g/kg) and mixed with oil attractants.
With an application rate of 1kg/ha, it produces a rapid decline in mouse numbers with usually >90 per cent control achieved within 1-2 days of broadcast application.
Uneaten bait degrades in the environment leaving no harmful residues.
Neil says when choosing your bait, it is important to take into consideration our unique process evenly coats the bait to ensure maximum results.
Our manufacture process also delivers a product which has easy broadacre application by ground spreaders or aerial application.
Be prepared for the increasing demand and ACT now!
As mouse activity continues to pose a threat, now is the time to secure your stock and support your network.
Early planning and stock availability are the key to meeting grower demand and maximise growth opportunity this season.
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