By Chloe Henville

ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt

Topic: Pests, Diseases and Control Methods

Wednesday, 27 May 2026, at 7:50 am

A school in Western Australia is closed because of toxic mouse baits.

In short:

The WA College of Agriculture at Morawa is closed after toxic mouse bait was spread.

A student says she does not know how the closure will affect her school work.

What's next?

The Department of Education will update students and families when the school is safe.

A student at the school says there were many mice before it closed.

The school closed on May 20 after toxic mouse bait was used.

The bait is very toxic and can be deadly in high amounts.

The school used Mouse Off, a commercial name for the toxic bait.

The Department of Education says the school is closed for a deep clean.

Fears of 'cooking' mice

There is a big mouse problem in Morawa and nearby areas.

A student says the school had many mice, and it was hard to be there.

The mice were in the school for months.

Staff were afraid to turn on the heaters because of the mice.

There were dead mice all around the school.

The student said it was like walking on marshmallows because of the mice.

The mice even lived in her car, which was at the school.

The student found many mice in her car.

There were hundreds of mice in her car, and some were dead.

Left in the dark

The school has been closed for a week, and students do not know when it will open.

The student is unsure about her school work and tests.

The Department of Education says students can go to another school.

Farms around Morawa are also affected by the mouse problem.

The student is worried about her practical school work.

The school has a farm where students learn about agriculture.

The student and her friends want to know when they can go back to school.

Claim shutdown poorly communicated

The student's mother is also concerned about the school closure.

The mother says the students need to be in school to learn.

The shutdown was not communicated well, the mother says.

The mother is relieved that the problem was found before it hurt anyone.

The mice are moving from farms into the town.

The Department of Education did not say when it knew about the toxic bait.

The Department says it is doing precautionary work before the school opens.

The Department will update students and families when the work is done.

ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt has local news.

Wednesday, 27 May 2026, at 7:50 am

Wednesday, 27 May 2026, at 8:39 am

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