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AAP
AAP
Technology
Liv Casben

Oil that 'confuses' mice offers hope to farmers

Oil Peter Banks
Researcher Finn Parker said wheat smell across the surface makes it harder for mice to detect seeds. (PR HANDOUT IMAGE PHOTO) (AAP)

A non-toxic treatment that confuses mice could help prevent a repeat of the 2021 mouse plague that caused $1 billion in damage, and may have applications for a variety of crops.

Sydney University researcher say a diluted wheat germ oil sprayed on wheat seeds acts as an "odour camouflage" and stops mice from making a meal out of new crops.

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