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🇦🇺 Australia /Disasters & Emergencies

Toxic bait use forces closure of West Australian agricultural college amid mouse plague

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A West Australian agricultural college closed on May 20 after toxic mouse bait spread, leading to a "carpet of dead mice."
  • Students described mice infesting classrooms, dining areas, and even car engines, with an unbearable smell of decay.
  • The school's reopening date is uncertain, leaving students anxious about completing essential coursework and exams.

A senior student at the Western Australian College of Agriculture in Morawa described the scene as "stepping on marshmallows" due to the sheer number of dead mice littering the school grounds. The college, located 370 kilometers north of Perth, shut down on May 20 after a schedule 7 poison, Mouse Off (zinc phosphide), was used to combat a severe mouse plague.

I was careful where I stood because it was just like marshmallows, you're stepping on marshmallows practically.

— Year 12 studentDescribing the condition of the school grounds due to dead mice.

The Education Department confirmed the school's closure for a "deep clean" but offered no timeline for reopening. The use of zinc phosphide baits is restricted in residential areas due to their high toxicity, with potential to be fatal. The student reported that mice had overrun the school, including the kitchen and dining areas, making some classrooms unbearable due to the smell of decaying rodents. Staff reportedly avoided turning on heaters for fear of "cooking" the mice within the air-conditioning system.

Hundreds and hundreds of mice were jumping out underneath it. I popped the bonnet and there was dead mice all over my engine bay.

— Year 12 studentRecounting the discovery of mice in her car.

Adding to the distress, the student found "hundreds" of mice in her car, with many jumping out from underneath and dead rodents covering the engine bay. "I just bawled my eyes out," she recounted. The ongoing mouse plague has devastated local farmers and residents in Morawa and surrounding communities for months.

I just bawled my eyes out.

— Year 12 studentReacting to finding mice in her car.

The closure has left students in limbo, particularly Year 12 students facing externally set tasks crucial for their WA Certificate of Education. While some assessments can be completed off-campus, the student expressed concern about practical units at the college's working broadacre and livestock farm. "All of us year 12s are trying to see when we'll be able to go back to school," she said, emphasizing the need to finish year-end projects located at the school.

All of us year 12s are trying to see when we'll be able to go back to school.

— Year 12 studentExpressing anxiety about completing coursework due to the school closure.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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