Controlling The Plague Of Mice with Mouse Bait
Using mouse bait to control the impending plague of mice has never been more important than right now. What is and has been an erratic pest, increasing and decreasing in numbers over seasons threatens to be a permanent and annual risk to farmers especially grain growers.
The enormity of the problem cannot be understated and the issue of who is to blame needs to be put aside for the time being and action, immediate action is needed. If you want to protect your farm, crop and livelihood.
If you're looking to quickly protect your crops and yield than the Ag Superstore Slugmaster is your go to for quickly turning your ATV or ute into a quick and efficient bait spreader. Keep reading the article for more information on controlling the plague of mice and the Ag Superstore Slugmaster.
Simple Tips To Avoid Attracting Mice
Mice are attracted to feed and so it makes sense to ensure that all areas are clean, all equipment is clean there is no extra incentive for mice to visit. They have a gestation period of three weeks and a female mouse is pregnant 5-10 times per year with each litter being up to 15 mice.
Mice Baiting Is The Solution.
While good housekeeping is always beneficial, the big-ticket item, the one thing that is going to have the biggest input in reducing mice numbers is mice baiting.
The most commonly used bait uses Zinc Phosphide and is combined with sterilised wheat, is grey in colour and is currently what is being recommended for the reduction of mice numbers by baiting. Zinc Phosphide Mice Bait is highly effective, uses low application rates and is Australian made.
It is often asked how often to bait. Monitoring is the only established way of determining if further baiting is required. After baiting activity should be monitored and further baiting should not occur within 14 days.
The preferred mouse bait, Zinc phosphide, can have its efficacy affected by rain so if rain occurs within 3 days it is recommended to reapply.
To assist farmers, the Grains Research and Development Corporation has published some great work in this area.
To apply Zinc Phosphide (or ”Mouse off’’ as is one of its registered names) there are a few tips according to the GRDC.
- Apply at a rate of 1-2kg/hectare.
- If sowing apply whilst the seed is still in the ground, making it more likely for the mice to find the bait and not the seed.
- Rebait throughout the season.
- Be vigilant and monitor paddocks
- Avoid areas where Horses reside
- Avoid protected areas native habitat
What is the best way to spread Mouse Bait?
The Ag superstore Slugmaster is a New Zealand made 12-volt broadcast spreader capable of spreading up to 24 metres and features a 75-litre hopper. Using a single spinner attached to a 12-volt motor, this 12-volt broadcast spreader can be mounted to a vehicle, quad bike, or tractor.
Used to typically spread mouse bait to about 24 metres, the 12-volt broadcast spreader uses a choke to adjust the flow of bait onto the spinner. The rate is easily adjusted by having 5 pre-set variations. Turning the motor for the Spreader on and off and opening and closing the hopper is achieved remotely by using the control box that sits in the quad bike or ute with you.
Here is a good Video compiled by the GRDC on calibrating your 12v spreader
More on spreading mouse baits and coverage can be found here
https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/resources/mouse-control
As always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about controlling the mice plague or anything else Ag and Farming.