Rodent Report - Cooper

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 14:00
ThreadID: 87563 Views:3119 Replies:7 FollowUps:7
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Heard on the ABC this am - rats driving tourists out of their camps around the Cooper crossing on the BV track - quoted Patsy at Ettadunna station. Must be true - it's the ABC :-o).
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 14:22

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 14:22
Hi Darian

I did not hear the report, but have been speaking with Patsy first thing this morning.

Yes there is a rat plague at Mungeranie and Mulka but not sure how far south they have come from Mulka. Like Patsy said they are not at Etadunna and will not be there for one very good reason.....the flooded Cooper.

We are up there in a few weeks and if they are at the northern side of the ferry site, we will have to camp on the southern side.

Fiona and I are now counting down the days..


Cheers


Stephen
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Follow Up By: muffin man - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 16:12

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 16:12
Rats or mice.
Mice I can handle but big fat rats are another thing.
Am heading down that way in a few weeks so better bring the repellent.
MM
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Follow Up By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 16:14

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 16:14
What's the repellent MM? A shotgun?

Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 18:56

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 18:56
Hi MM

Unfortunately it is the bigger of the two pests, both native and feral rats.

We are heading up there also very soon and the last thing we want is holes in our tent. Like I said if they have reached the Cooper, we will camp on the southern side.

Hi Allan

From what I was hearing, shooting them would be just about impossible as there are just that many.


Cheers


Stephen
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Reply By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 15:28

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 15:28
Thanks for that heads-up Darian. We will be going south from Birdsville and had planned to camp at Mungerannie. Will now stop at Etadunna.

Stephen, we will be on the track on 22 Sep. heading to Roxby. Will we see you maybe?

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 18:58

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 18:58
Hi Allan

We are up there very early August. When you get to Roxby, keep an eye out for the Sturt Desert Peas if they are in flower.


Have a great trip.



Cheers



Stephen
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Follow Up By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 20:40

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 20:40
There is a good display if Sturt Desert Pea in two beds at the front of reception at the Big 4 caravan park at Hawker.
Kevin
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Reply By: SIF4X4 - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 19:02

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 19:02
There is a rat problem in Boulia as well. A friend is doing the Camel Races there and reports that rats are chewing through electrical cables....and don't leave your shoes outside...lol
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Reply By: Member - Hillel K (VIC) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 21:44

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 21:44
Hi there camped on southern side this past Sunday night at Coopers Creek.No rats and saw only one mouse.Had been warned by others that had camped on northern side to watch out for the rats as they enjoy rubber and plastic.Helicopter pilot there also told us of problems with rats and mice on northern side so took his advice and no problems.
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Reply By: Member - jlAU (SA) - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 22:07

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 22:07
Heading there soon (South side) Please everyone who comes from the North side check your boot, we don't want them heading south!!
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Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 22:33

Thursday, Jul 14, 2011 at 22:33
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Yes they are a big problem.

I have just returned from a 3 week Simpson Trip.

We had to patch the tent in about 10 places, the worst being Poeppels Corner.

At William Creek we killed a few around the camp fire by simply stepping on them by mistake.

(If you hear a noise like a twig against the tent it is a rat trying to get in !)

Regards

Derek from ABR

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Follow Up By: Member - John R (cQld) - Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 09:24

Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 09:24
Hi Derek, do you know if there was food inside the tents, or were the rats just trying to get out of the cold?

Cheers, John
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Follow Up By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 10:00

Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 10:00
No food, just two sleeping bags, torch etc.

They must like the taste of plastic, they even took a few chunks out of our boots that were outside the tent.

Regards

Derek
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Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 11:08

Saturday, Jul 16, 2011 at 11:08
Plenty of rats still about in the Daiamantina Lakes area, and across towards Lake Machattie too. Might be an idea to check any coolant hoses on your vehicle each morning if you've been in rat country, but that's another story, and I'll post it shortly




Image Could Not Be Found
We camped at Moongarra Channels, on Clifton Hills, in June, and there were a few rats there. Apart from chewing the shade cloth we had under the tent, and leaving numerous "calling-cards", they did no damage.
A couple of nights later, at both Muloorina & Clayton's campsites, the mice were pretty thick, but other than entertain us, did no damage. Did get a bit annoying, during the night, when they'd climb to the top of the tent, then "ski" down the sides!

Bob
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