By Joanna Prendergast

By Chris Lewis

ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt

Topic: Pests, Diseases and Control Methods

Thu 21 May 2026 at 7:28pm

A school in Morawa is closed after toxic mouse bait was spread on the grounds.

In short:

Students at Morawa College of Agriculture were sent home after strong mouse bait was spread on school grounds.

The school will be closed from May 20, but it's not clear when it will reopen.

What's next?

The school will have a deep clean next week.

The Western Australian College of Agriculture in Morawa is closed after toxic mouse bait was spread on its campus.

A severe mouse plague has affected Morawa, 370 kilometers north of Perth.

Farmers have been using strong mouse baits on their farms, but these baits are not allowed in towns or near buildings.

Dead mice are all over Morawa.

The school principal said a product called Mouse Off was used at the school site.

Mouse Off is the name for the strong zinc phosphide bait.

Double strength mouse bait is thought to be the most effective way to control mice in a plague.

The education department will do a deep clean of all affected areas to keep students and staff safe.

The school will tell parents when it will reopen after the clean up is finished.

Parents of students who live at the school were told to pick up their children or other arrangements would be made.

Working farm

The agricultural college has about 50 students in years 10, 11, and 12.

The college has a 3,000 hectare working farm where students learn about modern farming.

The Department of Health said the risk to staff and students at the school is low.

The Department of Health is working with education staff to provide support.

All students and staff were sent home, and horses were moved off site.

Mouse bait allowed on farms is wheat treated with the poison zinc phosphide.

The Department of Education said the school was closed due to a mouse infestation.

The education department is doing a deep clean to ensure the health and wellbeing of all students and staff.

Arrangements were made for students to attend Morawa District High School during the closure.

Risk to human health

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority does not allow the use of products with zinc phosphide in enclosed areas.

Exposure to zinc phosphide can make people sick and can be fatal in high levels.

Mice are everywhere in Morawa.

Last week, health officials visited Morawa after community leaders raised concerns about dead and dying rodents.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority approved an emergency permit for strong zinc phosphide mouse baits.

The strong mouse bait started arriving on farms this week.

Thu 21 May 2026 at 7:28pm

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