MICE numbers have peaked and are now on the decline after one of the worst plagues since 1993 hit the country in autumn.
Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre commercialisation manager and National Mouse Management Working Group chair Dr Simon Humphreys said the mouse problem has come off the boil.
“We are over the peak of what we will see in damage this spring,” he said.
“There are still some hot spots and problems in areas north of Port Broughton, but they are not as bad now.
“There is still a risk of mice persisting in crops, but as they mature the amount of damage one mouse does as you get seed maturity is less than it would do during the time crops are flowering.
“But we are not out of the woods with mice going into next year.”
Dr Humphreys said current modelling is showing mice could be back in plague proportions next year.
For the full report, see the print issue of this week's YP Country Times.