WA school closed due to toxic mouse bait during mouse plague
Consensus Summary
The Western Australian College of Agriculture in Morawa closed on May 20, 2026, after toxic zinc phosphide mouse bait (MouseOff), approved only for grain paddocks, was spread on campus during a severe mouse plague. The Schedule 7 poison forced a deep clean and displaced students to Morawa District High School, with no clear reopening date. The plague has overwhelmed the town, with mice infesting homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, prompting health alerts and emergency bait approvals. Students, particularly year 12s, face disruptions to practical assessments and certifications, while farmers and residents struggle with widespread infestations. Authorities confirm low risk to humans but emphasize ongoing safety measures, including ventilation checks and carcass removal.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Western Australian College of Agriculture in Morawa closed on May 20, 2026, due to the use of zinc phosphide mouse bait (MouseOff).
- The school is located 370 km north of Perth.
- Zinc phosphide bait (MouseOff) is a Schedule 7 poison not approved for use in towns, residential areas, or around buildings.
- The school was closed for a 'deep clean' after the bait was spread.
- Students were advised to attend Morawa District High School during the closure.
- The mouse plague has devastated Morawa and surrounding farms, with mice infesting homes, businesses, and vehicles.
- The WA Department of Education stated the risk to students and staff is low, but a deep clean is underway.
- The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) conditionally approved emergency use of double-strength zinc phosphide bait.
- A year 12 student reported mice overrunning the school, including kitchens, classrooms, and vehicles, with dead carcasses littering the grounds.
- The school has a working 3,000-hectare broadacre and livestock farm used for student training.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- A student described stepping on dead mice as 'like stepping on marshmallows'.
- Staff avoided turning on heaters to prevent 'cooking' mice in the air-conditioning system.
- A student found 'hundreds' of mice in her car engine bay, with dead carcasses inside.
- The school closure has delayed compulsory externally set tasks for year 12 students.
- The student's mother expressed concern about the lack of clarity on reopening and practical unit completion.
- The Department of Education did not respond to questions about when they became aware of the zinc phosphide use or when cleaning started.
- WA Health visited Morawa after concerns about potential disease outbreaks from dead mice.
- Residents and business owners in Morawa are collecting mouse carcasses daily due to the plague.
- Morawa Shire President Karen Chappell described the situation as 'horrid,' with mice in beds, ovens, and household appliances.
- WA Health issued a public health alert urging caution when handling dead mice.
- Farmers reported up to 8,000 mice per hectare in some paddocks, with millions of mice in cropping zones.
- APVMA Chief Executive Officer Scott Hansen emphasized that the emergency permit decision was evidence-based and prioritized safety.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- Article 1 (ABC) states the school closed on May 20, while Article 3 (ABC) mentions the closure began on May 20 but does not specify the exact date of the announcement or bait use.
- Article 2 (NEWSCOMAU) mentions the bait was used to 'eradicate mice at the school,' while Article 1 (ABC) describes it as a response to a 'months-long mouse plague' that had already overrun the school.
Source Articles
Student says WA school closed by toxic baits had been overrun by mice
A year 12 student at the WA College of Agriculture Morawa says there were fears of "cooking" mice in the heating system before the mistaken deployment of toxic baits shut the school down.
Aussie school closes over gross bait blunder
A rural Aussie school has closed for deep cleaning after the wrong bait was used to combat a devastating pest plague which has been crippling farming regions.
Toxic bait spread closes school in mouse-plagued Morawa
Students of the Western Australian School of Agriculture in Morawa were sent home and the school shut after toxic mouse bait intended for paddocks was spread on site.