Mice Endanger Wheat Stocks

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 120, 22 May 1940, Page 2

Mice Endanger Wheat Stocks

FARMERS FIGHT PEST Alillions of mice arc invading wheat areas, particularly in the western and' south-western parts of New South ( Wales, and farmers are working desperately to combat the menace. Alousc-proof fences have been hastily, erected around wheat and hay stacks. | but in many instances the invaders were already entrenched before the] work could be completed. Hundreds of thousands of mice have been trapped! or poisoned. WRen tho mice first commenced to appear, wheat was quickly transferred to silos at Spring Hill and Howebush. But operations were interrupted because railway trucks could not be provided, du© to the coal strike, and farmers were forced to fight the mice to protect their wheat. “The position is assuming serious proportions in th© west and southwestern arca3,” said Mr. Carruthers, “but I am confident that the farmers will successfully grapple with the problem.” Must Re-Bag Wheat.

Air. Carruthers said that the Tecert rain and the cold weather had sene the mice on to farms an I into wheat stacks for shelter.

“They come like thieves in the night,” he said. “They So not herald their approach, and they leave just as

quietly.” From Ungario, it is reported that millions of mice are causing damage to wheat stacks which did not have mouse proof fencing erected before rhe mice took possession. Other areas affected include Lake Cargelligo, Burgooney, Combaning, \riah Park, and Calieen. Catching Thousands.

Mr. A. D. Henderson, of “Glen cairn,” Burgooney, has destroyed 35,887 of the pests in 27 days. On sue cessive mornings ho trapped 2624 2321, and 2826.

His method is- to sink a kerosenetin half filled with water to groundlevel, close to wheat and hay stacks.

Rain has also drowned thousands of mice, the Ungarie message states. Country storekeepers are doing a great trade in traps. Flower and vegetable gardens nt private homes at West Wyalcng and other centre* have also suffered. Idl7 PJague.

Australia’s most disastrous mouse plague occurred during tho last war. After the 1917 harvesting, millions of mice swarmed into South Australia, , Victoria, and NJ3.W., and millions of pounds’ worth of wheat was lost. ! The mice first appeared near the Victorian border, and the invaders quickly occupied rich fields in N.S.W. Incredible incidents were reported m the Forbes district. Alice invaded bed rooms, gnawed sleepers’ hair, and bit their ears and noses. Nails disappear-

ed from fingers and toes overnight. Trapping and poisoning killed millions, but the hordes continued to grow. At Deniliquin, several families fied from their homes when thousands of mice took possession. And while the harvested wheat was being ravaged, farmers were afraid to sow their new crops, because the mice followed the trail and took up every grain. At Malice railway sidings, w’hole wheat stocks were eaten out in a night. Troughs and fodder were pol luted, causing death and sickness among horses. The mice even penetrated to some Sydney suburbs. Houses on the North Shore wero overrun.