Communities across Western Australia are grappling with an unprecedented surge in mouse populations that has persisted since early this year, overwhelming towns and rural areas alike. The infestation, described by local officials as the worst in recent memory, has spread over vast regions of the state and has extended into parts of neighboring South Australia.

Morawa, a remote town approximately 230 miles north of Perth with a population of around 660, has been among the hardest hit. Residents report daily encounters with rodents invading their homes, kitchens, and personal spaces. Town officials say the scale of the infestation is unlike previous plagues, with mice not only occupying agricultural fields but also entering houses, workplaces, and vehicles. On nighttime drives, some locals describe the distinctive sound of mouse carcasses being crushed under car tires. There have been reports of snakes appearing unusually well-fed, likely a consequence of feeding on the abundant rodent population.

Karen Chappel, president of Morawa Shire, characterized the situation as an exhausting battle. “I experienced a mouse plague in 1975 as a child, but this one is different—it’s inside our homes,” she said. To combat the surge, local authorities have distributed free bait to residents, emphasizing collective action to control the outbreak.

Experts cite a combination of environmental factors as driving the population boom. Steve Henry, a research officer specializing in mice at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), explained that mouse plagues typically arise when food sources are plentiful and weather conditions are dry. This year, parts of Western Australia have seen estimates of up to 8,000 mice per hectare, vastly exceeding the threshold that defines a plague—generally considered to be more than 800 mice per hectare.

Henry noted that once mouse numbers reach a critical point, the infestation becomes difficult to ignore and manage. The ongoing challenge reflects the species’ rapid breeding capability under favorable conditions, compounded by the expansive rural landscapes that provide ample resources for growth.

Efforts to control the population involve a coordinated approach between government agencies and local communities, but officials warn that eradication will likely require sustained effort over time. For now, residents in affected towns like Morawa continue to cope with the day-to-day realities of living amid a rodent plague that shows few signs of abating.