Southland suffers mouse invasion

Parts of Southland have seen mouse numbers grow to near-plague levels, attracted by ready access to food.

Environment Southland biosecurity officer Tim Riding told the Southland Times the worst hit areas were Fiordland, Te Anau, Stoney Creek and Five Rivers.

A local woman said the population explosion began around August and at its peak she was trapping up to nine mice each night around her home.

Mr Riding said more mice would attract more of those species which preyed on mice such as rats, stoats and weasels.

He said there were concerns when mouse numbers dropped off in winter the predators would be forced to supplement their diet with birds.

It was not possible to control mouse numbers on such a large scale - the only thing people could do was try to limit their food supply, Mr Riding said.