Australian scientists used wheat scent to confuse mice, cutting seed loss by 74%

 Australian scientists tested a non-toxic way to protect wheat seeds from mice by spraying diluted wheat germ oil across farm plots. The treatment camouflaged the smell mice use to locate seeds underground. In a 2021 field experiment in New South Wales, seed loss fell by 63 per cent during and after sowing, and by up to 74 per cent when plots were treated before planting. Australian scientists tested a non-toxic way to protect wheat seeds from mice by spraying diluted wheat germ oil across farm plots. The treatment camouflaged the smell mice use to locate seeds underground. In a 2021 field experiment in New South Wales, seed loss fell by 63 per cent during and after sowing, and by up to 74 per cent when plots were treated before planting.