Authorities in Australia's citrus and grape-growing region of Riverina have issued a mice alert for an outbreak that poses a threat to growers, reported Farmonline.com.au.

The Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LPHA) has encouraged landowners to monitor mice numbers in sheds and along fence lines, the story reported.

"Our rangers have been assisting landholders to control mice by providing advice and treating grain, supplied by the landholders, with poison for use as perimeter bait," LHPA senior ranger Peter O'Shannassy was quoted as saying.

"The rangers are now receiving requests to poison grain every few days, which means that mice numbers are on the rise and control is now critical especially leading into winter sowing.

"Ripening summer crops are also being targeted, with damage recorded in rice, sorghum, corn and millet."

Photo: Australian Museum

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com