PLAGUE OF MICE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3050, 11 April 1917, Page 5

PLAGUE OF MICE

EIGHT TO TEN THOUSAND KILLED EVBW NIGHT. - According to the reports of the Victorian Wheat Commission, the work of fencing in the great wheat stacks in country districts and digging pits around them, to protect them against mice, is being completed. It is offioinlly stated that where the fences and pits have been completed the results have been very satisfactory. Where previous!.? only about 1000 mice were caught in a night, the lmnl now ranges from 8000 to 10,000. 'L'ho galvanised iron fences aro surrounded by kerosene tins. The mouse that wants to enter the stack, or hnvinsr reached the stack, wants to get out again for a drink fries to rlimb ; H;r iron fence, falls anil is interned in the kerosene tin. It was reported earlier that a disease had attacked the mice and was destroy, ing them in thouswuls. If so Use mice are increasing by tens of thousands.. Mr. BVelthorn states that in soma districts— particularly Dimboola-tho :>i»giie is increasing. Disease or no riissnse. tho mice are found under any iwnilnble cover, and aro invading the houses like a deathless "army.—Melbourne ' Age.