Australia: Plague of millions of rats in the east of the country

A very big problem has been created in eastern Australia, since millions of rats have flooded the countryside and cities, prompting the government to draw up plan for their mass extermination.

More specifically, the deputy prime minister stated that «The only good mouse is a dead mouse,» since the New South Wales intensified its war on mice with a plan to tackle plague which affects large parts of the country.

For months, mice have been destroying fields and invading homes in eastern Australia, from the border of Victoria in the south to the northern state of Queensland, causing millions in damage to crops and machinery.

As winter approaches, hungry rodents are still seeking refuge in people's homes, according to professional cleaner Sue Hodge.

In the small town of Canowindra, four hours from Sydney, Hodge spends her days throwing dead mice from traps in her clients' homes. She cleans rodent droppings from kitchens, children's rooms, and even their beds.

At her home, just off the town's main road, Hodge has blocked every nook and cranny with wire mesh to stop mice from entering the houses. «I can deal with them by killing them,» Hodge said defiantly, setting mouse traps every night.

However, the New South Wales government is considering something much more powerful.

On Thursday, officials announced that they had secured 5,000 liters of one of the world's most powerful rat-killing chemicals — a poison so potent that it kills with a single dose.

It should be noted that not everyone is happy about this. Some have expressed concern that Placing poison to save crops from wild rodents can contaminate food crops and kill local wildlife.

Rain increased rodents

For many, 2020 was a year to forget—but not for farmers, or mice, in New South Wales.

Almost as much rain fell in 2020 as in the previous two years, creating fertile ground for harvesting.

«(We had) really dry years, then a beautiful year in 2020, and this year is shaping up really well. But there's always something,» says Canowindra farmer Michael Payten. «This year it's mice.».

The crops created by the abundant rain also created ideal conditions for mice.

«We had a very good year last year, a lot of wheat. We put a lot of hay in the barns and created these huge mouse hotels,» Payten said, referring to his grass, which is now being destroyed by thousands of mice.

At least 800 to 1,000 mice per hectare are considered «plague» rates.» by Australia's National Scientific Agency, CSIRO.

Trying to count the number of rats currently plaguing eastern Australia would be like trying to count the stars in the sky,» said CSIRO researcher Steve Henry, described by the NSW government as Australia's leading expert on rat infestations. Steve Henry, described by the NSW government as Australia's foremost expert on mouse plagues.

It should be noted that a pair of mice can produce 500 more offspring each season, according to CSIRO, with females giving birth to new litters every three weeks.