Government was forced to scour the Island yesterday for bananas after the Ministry of Environment learned that a shipment contaminated with two dangerous plant-pests had arrived in Bermuda.

Twenty-three crates of bananas were confiscated for incineration but the Department of Environmental Protection also learned that many of the bananas - which originated from Honduras - have already been sold over the past two weeks.

The bananas are not dangerous to humans but carry two pests - scale insects and mealy bugs - which could seriously damage local plants.

Plant Protection Officer Clare Jessey said a member of the public alerted her to the first insect-carrying banana. Upon inspection, she discovered that the banana was carrying a scale insect similar to that which 50 years ago decimated the once abundant endemic Bermuda Cedar tree 50 years ago.

Ms Jessey said the public must take extra care in their disposal of banana peels to prevent further spread of the pests.

While bananas peels are bio-degradable, if they are thrown in gardens or composts there is a danger the pests may climb off the peels and infiltrate Bermuda's plants. Local bananas are particularly at risk from the tiny stowaways, Ms Jessey said.

“These insects are sucking pests, it is in their nature to feed by sucking the juices from a fruit tree,” she said. “This reduces the vitality of the plant. If the population of scales becomes high enough they might kill young plants.”

She added: “They feed on the fruit as well. People will notice a discoloration of local fruit as they are developing. They can reduce the quality of local bananas.”

She asked the public not to throw banana peels onto compost heaps or areas of vegetation.

The public is encouraged to wrap banana peels tightly in plastic bags and include them with other garbage destined for the incinerator.

“The last thing we want is another pest threatening local fruit plants,” Ms Jessey said.