South Australian agronomist and hunter Troy Johnson, of Yorke Peninsula, has repurposed his thermal spotter to reveal the extent of a client's mouse infestation.
After an unsuccessful mice survey with headlights in a canola stubble crop Mr Johnson pulled out his Pulsar Krypton thermal hunting equipment to spot several of the vermin still wondering the paddock.
The crop had been been baited five days prior with one kilogram bait, before Mr Johnson purchased the technology. Mr Johnson said the amount of heat mice carry means thermal imaging is the perfect way to get a real sense of mouse numbers.
"I was driving around, surveying the traditional way, using my headlights to see any mice and the thermal has confirmed that is a complete waste of time," he said.
"There are so many more mice than what you see with the headlights of a tractor or a vehicle."
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Thermal imaging equipment can cost anywhere from $1000 to $10,000. Mr Johnson said the technology is going to be his go-to tool for future baiting.
"They're expensive little toys but what I've seen in the last couple of weeks shows its a game changer when monitoring mice," he said.
"They're such hot little critters they light up really well."
