The Central Board of Health (CBH) has launched a major drive to tackle the island’s rodent problem with its 2025 “WANTED DEAD—NOT ALIVE” Anti-Rodent Campaign.
The initiative, led by the CBH’s Vector Control Unit, begins on Monday, 8 September, with the first phase running until 31 October. Trapping and collection exercises will take place across five priority communities: St John’s City, Gray’s Farm, Browne’s Avenue, St Johnson’s Village and Potters Village.
Health officials say the campaign aims to raise awareness of the health risks linked to rodents, promote preventive action by residents, reduce populations in high-risk areas, and curb the spread of rodent-borne diseases through better sanitation.
“Community participation is essential,” the CBH said in a statement, urging residents and businesses to keep their premises clean, store waste securely and cooperate with field officers.
A second phase in November will focus on public education, including workshops and outreach activities to deepen community engagement.
Officials stressed that the campaign’s success will depend on residents’ active involvement and their commitment to maintaining cleaner neighbourhoods.
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Quite a timely and welcome intervention to rid our communities of these obnoxious creatures. It’s quite common to see some almost as big as cats roaming the streets of St. John’s at night.
Truly a timely intervention and was needed like yesterday. One cannot miss the unsightly spectacle of rats, some as big as mongoose roaming the city gutters especially at nights. The effort to rid the city and suburbs of them must be ongoing. They are both hideous, horrendous and dreadful and sends all the wrong signals to tourists and citizens visiting the city. Just a few months ago I witnessed a tourist showing another one three rats playfully moving in an out of an open gutter. I was a little embarrassed so I walked fast.