‘It Was Relentless’: Western Australia Suffers a Plague of Mice

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Morawa, Western Australia, is enduring its worst mouse plague in decades, overwhelming residents with millions of rapidly breeding rodents that damage property and pose health risks. While some relief is seen as winter approaches and breeding slows, experts warn the infestation may return in spring, causing continued economic and psychological strain for the community.

Residents of Morawa, a remote town in Western Australia, are grappling with what many describe as the worst mouse plague in living memory. The infestation has been so severe that locals are daily checking traps and household items for rodent carcasses, while snakes in the area appear unusually well-fed from preying on the surplus mice. Karen Chappel, president of the Morawa Shire, noted the relentless nature of the plague, contrasting it with a previous outbreak she experienced as a child in 1975.

The surge in mouse populations is driven by their rapid breeding cycle, with females capable of reproducing every 19 to 21 days. This accelerated reproduction enables populations to swell into the millions within a short period, making control efforts exceedingly difficult. “Once they bred up to a certain level, they became impossible to ignore,” said a local expert familiar with the infestation.

In addition to overwhelming residents and the local ecology, the mouse plague poses health risks. Australia has faced rodent-borne diseases before; notably, in 2021, a farmer nearly died from a type of bacterial meningitis linked to rodents. Health officials emphasize the importance of wearing masks when cleaning areas contaminated by mice and maintaining good hand hygiene. While the risk of disease transmission under normal circumstances remains low, intensified contact during plagues significantly raises the possibility of infections spreading.

After months of continuous efforts involving traps, baiting, and clearing, some residents report a decline in mouse numbers. Peter Thornton, who operates Morawa Traders—a grocery and liquor store—said he had not caught a mouse in four days, a notable improvement compared to the height of the infestation when rodents scurried along shelves and damaged goods. However, Thornton noted that the odor from dead mice and their droppings still lingers, creating an ongoing unpleasant environment. He also recounted being bitten by a mouse while asleep, underscoring the toll the infestation has taken on daily life.

Australia and China are unique in regularly experiencing mouse plagues, though the precise reasons remain unclear. As winter advances across the Southern Hemisphere, experts predict breeding will pause, leading to a natural decline in populations. Despite this seasonal reprieve, there is concern the problem will resurge when warmer weather returns in spring.

The economic and psychological damage inflicted by the plague is significant and long-lasting. Ashley James, a farmer managing a 14,800-acre property near Morawa, has spent over AUD 31,500 on poison and labor to combat the mice. The rodents have damaged equipment by chewing through tractor wiring, compounding financial hardship. Above all, James fears a recurring infestation, emphasizing the need for ongoing vigilance. “You’ve got to be watching all the time,” he said, highlighting the persistent threat the plague poses to rural communities in Western Australia.