'We've definitely got a plague': Mice infest Arthur's Pass

Five years after a mouse plague inundated Arthur's Pass, a new infestation has hit the town.

Resident Graeme Kates said yesterday he was using a "gazillion" traps.

A beech tree mast is largely responsible, though the alpine grasses have also seeded. Like last time, mice have been spotted running across the highway.

"We've definitely got a plague," Mr Kates said. He was busy emptying all the bins in town this morning in a bid to curtail it.

"It probably started a month ago."

Mr Kates is catching about 21 mice at home each night night, using traps.

He was hoping fresh snow last night would knock numbers back.

However, he said last time it hit, the plague continued into the following winter.

Prior to the 2014-15 infestation, the town was hit in the mid-1990s. That time it came to an end thanks to flooding.

The last mouse plague led to some supersized trout in some West Coast rivers, as the fish fed on mice.