The war on rats will never be fully won, Lauren Bell, the Junior Minister of Health, admitted during questions in the Senate this week.

She was responding to a query from David Rogers, an opposition senator, about the strategy on rodent removal.

He asked if there was a move for “reduction and control rather than total eradication”.

Ms Bell responded: “Bermuda cannot fully eradicate rats.

“The experience of both local and national administrations is that rats are highly adaptable and reproduce rapidly. They exploit readily available food and shelter.

“Based on the most recent data available to the Vector Control Team, it is meeting its current quality and standard while we also recognise there is scope to strengthen.”

She added that the team was enhancing staff training with new methods being introduced to cope with the increasing population of rats and new technology to be brought in.

Members of the team are also to be sent to the United States to take part in a workshop and study the latest environmental health tactics in August.

Ms Bell told how the public had to play their part in the battle to suppress the rodent population.

“Sustainable success depends on shared responsibility, with residents and businesses properly managing waste,” she said.

She explained how making properties rodent-proof and spotting early signs of rats then reporting them would help “suppress” vermin numbers.

“It is more than placing bait — we check drains, identify hotspots and inspect property to stop food and beverages becoming available.”