The mice plague has been impacting the Tamworth area recently, but it's nothing compared to what's happening out west, Mr Windsor said.

NSW Health has confirmed that three patients at hospitals in Walgett, Tottenham, and Gulargambone were all bitten by the rodents recently.

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Mr Windsor said it was time the state and federal governments did something to deal with the ever-worsening situation.

"The health minister should recognise it as a health problem as well as an agricultural one," he said.

"They have to take the lead on putting in appropriate control measures, otherwise it's going to get worse and worse and not only does it have financial ramifications for the farming sector, it also has ramifications for the health sector.

"It's just being left up to individuals to deal with what comes into their house, but they're losing the battle."

He said residents in areas like Coonamble were dealing with "rotting mice and urine and faeces and just general stench".

"I've heard reports that at least one of the aged care places [in the Central West] are having trouble with mice," he told the Leader.

"You can't blame them because there's mice everywhere.

"It's not just about people who live on farm land, it's anyone who lives in town or goes to the hospital."

In Tamworth, pest controllers have been run off their feet trying to eradicate the pests from homes and businesses, mouse traps and baits are flying off shelves, and pets are being poisoned after accidentally consuming baited mice.

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