1. Home / Environment, Health & Public Safety / Public Safety, Health & Education / Mice plague

Mice Plague

The predicted mice plague has certainly lived up to expectations.

Not only are these pesky pests filthy, but they can also spread harmful diseases so it’s vitally important we take steps in our homes and businesses to control them.

Some tips are:

  • Seal up holes inside and outside the home or business to prevent entry by rodents.
  • Trap rodents around the home and business to reduce the rodent population.
  • Clean up rodent food sources and nesting sites.
  • Be careful with baits Mouse and rat baits are potentially deadly to animals that eat them. The baits are normally flavoured to make them attractive to rodents, which also attracts other animals to them. Dogs and cats who ingest rat baits
  • may die.
  • If you are using baits, make sure they are always stored and used out of reach of children and other animals. Loose poison baits (pellets, meals) should not be used, instead the poison should be inside a bait station that cannot be accessed or
  • opened by children and pets.
  • Take steps to avoid your dog gaining access to rat baits outside of your property by keeping them on a leash in areas where you know rat baits are present, and preventing them from eating rodents or carcasses.
  • Cats may be at risk of eating poisoned rodents due to their hunting behaviour. You can take steps to protect your cat, particularly if they are safely contained in your property.

Rebates for mouse control now available 
 

Has your home or small business been affected by the mouse plague in NSW?  

If so, you might be eligible for the NSW Government's Mouse Control Rebate to help meet the cost of mouse baits, traps and cleaning materials.

Impacted residential households can claim up to $500, while impacted small businesses (including primary producers) can claim up to $1,000. 

The rebates are available to people in the Local Land Services areas of Central Tablelands, Central West, Northern Tablelands, North West, Riverina, Murray, Hunter (Upper Hunter, Singleton and Muswellbrook LGAs), South East (Hilltops, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley LGAs) and Western.
 
To apply, claimants will need to meet eligibility criteria and conditions, and have a current MyServiceNSW Account. 

For more information about the rebates and to apply, visit www.nsw.gov.au/mice or call Service NSW on 13 77 88.