A New Zealand-designed software system designed to predict and tackle mouse outbreaks is being trialled in Australia.
MouseAlert is an interactive website which uses mapping technology to enable arable crop growers to record and view mouse activity in their local area in real time.
MouseAlert is an interactive website which uses mapping technology to enable arable crop growers to record and view mouse activity in their local area in real time. Photo: AFP
Landcare Research has been providing the expertise on building this information into computer models which can then forecast plagues of mice.
The technology could soon be applied to tackling pest species in New Zealand such as wasps, rats and possums.
Landcare researcher Roger Pech said getting farmers involved was essential.
"It's simply not possible for scientists to measure what's happening everywhere, so we rely on local land-holders, farmers in Australia, to tell us what's going on, on their properties.
"First of all it helps farmers in Australia. They can see what information is coming in from their neighbours so they can see what's happening in their local area with mouse numbers, so we can use the information to make better forecasts for their area."
Dr Pech said MouseAlert could be used as an app on a cell phone and a notification system was being set up, so that farmers could be informed of an outbreak as soon as it happened.
