Cold snap makes mice less visible

THE cold snap experienced in the Upper Hunter this week may have contributed to a significant decline in the number of mice spotted in Upper Hunter homes.

The mouse plague was rampant in the Upper Hunter until the recent floods and cold weather quelled the number of visible rodents.

Upper Hunter residents remain vigilant in stamping out the unwanted rodents but have noticed a sharp decline in the chillier weather.

Farmers in northern NSW are hoping to see numbers dwindle as they prepare to sow Winter crops. CSIRO researcher Steve Henry said the colder weather will not necessarily wipe the rodents out.

“For some people, one of the benefits of the recent rainfall has been its impact on the mice. Nobody knows for sure what the impact of the rains and colder weather will be in terms of killing large quantities of mice,” Mr Henry said.

Pet owners were also advised to keep an eye on their dogs during the deluge. During a downpour in 2019, there was a rise in instances of leptospirosis. The bacteria, which can be fatal and is picked up when dogs play in muddy water where rodents have urinated.

Merriwa resident James Constable who had seen up to 64 mice in a night on the grounds of his property said he had been catching hardly any mice of late. He posed a question on Facebook’s Merriwa Connect group. Here are some of the mixed responses:

“Now that we have had our first taste of cold weather, how are mice numbers around the district?” Mr Constable said.

Ashlee Proctor: “0 mice for the last 4 days and then bang 3 mice in the traps this morning.”

Richard Egan: “Definitely slowed down. The wet weather we had a few weeks ago took the rush out of them.”

“Andrew Constable: “Still a lot on the road between Willy Wally and Turill on the warm nights but as soon as the temperature goes single digits, don’t see any.”

“Beck ConstableHaven’t seen any at my place for 2 months now.”

Jillian Williams: “Haven’t seen any for about a month.”

Resident Maria Cameron reported seeing more mice in her home as the rodents seek shelter in the warmth: “Still plenty about with their larger cousins causing havoc and numbers expected to peak again in Central West with sowing coming up.”

Rosalie Drew: “Mine are really slowed down I think the last couple were Thursday.”

Robyn Clydesdale: “Slowed down in Scone. Cat is getting chubby.”

Edward W Berrier: “I had eight in Flagg’s road in one trap this morning and seven yesterday but none the last four days before that.”

Caitlin Coles: “Haven’t seen any for a few days, not catching any either, only a couple in the last 2 weeks, praying they are done!”

Laura Fahey:  “Plenty still here outside. Only getting two or three inside now but have noticed they have eaten parts of the fly screens again.”

Brenda O’Halloran: “Rats more of a problem for me here at Bunnan the mice have quietened down a lot my Blue Heeler dog “Patsy” getting bored now of a night as none to catch and kill.”

Kerry O’Neill “Sandy Hollow has finally slowed thank God.”