THE areas hardest hit by the mice plague early last year are again starting to see a rise in activity.
Ag Consulting managing director Bill Long, Ardrossan, said there had been a few reports of mice becoming more evident, particularly through central Yorke Peninsula, the Lower North and Eyre Peninsula.
"There seems to be as much activity as previous seasons in some isolated locations, but mainly where mice were a real problem last year," he said.
"Farmers are aware of the impact of feed sources on mouse numbers and are monitoring closely.
"Unlike the 2014 season, there weren't any storms resulting in significant grain loss, and the January rains have reduced food sources for mice.
"So while we are seeing some isolated mice activity at the moment, my instincts are saying it is not as likely to be as bad as seeding time last year."
Andy Bates, Bates Agricultural Consulting, Streaky Bay, had also heard reports of mice activity, mainly in northern EP.
"There are some definite hot spots that require treatment," he said.
"Last year the canola was hit pretty hard, so those paddocks will be baited again this year, while pasture paddocks also seem to be pretty bad at the moment.
"They are also being seen more about houses and sheds, as food sources dry up in the paddock."
However Mr Bates said farmers had been quite proactive, retaining unpickled seed for treatment at local bait mixing stations.
"People are concerned, but most are set-up with baiting equipment to deal with mice," he said.
National Mouse Management Working Group chairman Ian Hastings said the good thing that came out of last year's outbreak was the establishment of regional baiting stations across SA and Vic.
"Last year we were instrumental in changing the law to allow registered bait station operators to use zinc phosphide in a non-commercial setting, making it cheaper for farmers to access bait," he said.
"Those bait stations are still in place, but their re-opening will purely be based on supply and demand."
Cunliffe bait station operator Mark Schilling, on upper YP, said he already had stock inquiries, with some activity reported in the region, particularly about sheds and haystacks.
He said the bait station was ready to go if the numbers multiplied.
"It was disappointing there were so many barriers we had to overcome last year, but this year we are well-prepared," he said.
Down in the northern Mallee, Society of Precision Agriculture Australia president Robin Schaefer, Bulla Burra, Loxton, said there had been a little bit of activity, but nothing to be alarmed about.
"It wouldn't hurt for people to be aware and watching for them," he said. "But nothing really happened last year for them to increase in numbers this year.
"We had a dry, average harvest and stubbles have been well grazed, so the feed source isn't there like other years."
Agrilink consultant Lou Flohr, Lameroo, said there weren't concerning levels in the southern Mallee either.
"We have seen the odd one on the road or in the house, but nothing out of the normal," she said.
"We had rain in the Mallee in January that would have germinated a lot of the feed that was in the paddock, minimising the feed source."