The ongoing mouse plague in Morawa, Western Australia, has reached an unprecedented scale, leaving the town's residents and businesses grappling with the aftermath. This crisis, described by Shire President Karen Chappel as "gravely concerning," has permeated every aspect of life in Morawa, from homes and cars to schools and farms.
One of the most striking images of this plague is the main street, littered with dead and dying mice. The air in houses and businesses is thick with the smell of decaying mice, mixed with air freshener and scented candles, a testament to the scale of the infestation. Locals have endured months of an endless tide of mice flowing into town, a situation that has taken a toll on both physical and mental health.
The impact of the plague extends beyond the physical realm. Schools, including Morawa District High School and Morawa Agricultural College, have been infested with mice, posing a significant risk to the health and safety of students. The health service in town has also been affected, with mice nesting in toilet paper and eating cat food, further exacerbating the hygiene issues.
The economic impact is equally devastating. Local businesses, particularly the two grocery stores, have been hit hard. IGA manager Aaron Chadwick has thrown out $20,000 worth of groceries that mice had chewed or nested in, and the smell has become a constant challenge to manage.
Farmers in the area are also suffering. Robert Mitchell, a grain farmer, has had to bait his entire property, with some paddocks requiring more than one application. The mice have dug the seed out of the ground and chewed off germinated crops, leading to significant additional expenses during a period of record fuel and fertiliser prices.
The situation has reached a critical point, with the grains industry lobbying the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for emergency access to double-strength zinc phosphide mouse bait. The APVMA has confirmed it is assessing a bait permit application from Grain Producers Australia (GPA) to support the management of these plague conditions.
However, the solution is not without controversy. The APVMA must ensure that the proposed use is safe for people, the environment, and trade, a process that is currently underway. Shire President Chappel, who also has a family farm near Morawa, emphasizes the urgency of the situation, calling for stronger baits to be made available to farmers.
The mouse plague in Morawa is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of our communities and the fragility of our ecosystems. It highlights the need for urgent action and collaboration to address the crisis and prevent further damage to the town's infrastructure, economy, and public health.
