Invasive Species Management

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources leads the Government effort to manage certain pests and invasive plant species that have an impact on Bermuda’s delicate ecology. This includes the management of feral chickens, feral pigeons, crows, red eared sliders terrapins and rats (only in protected nature reserves). Control of rodents in urban and residential areas of Bermuda, and mosquito control are undertaken by the Vector Control section of the Department of Health (see: https://www.gov.bm/vector-control-and-port-health-programme).

Our Terrestrial Conservation team focuses on invasive plant species management. The spread of highly invasive plant species is a serious threat to Bermuda's biodiversity, as these foreign species push out our native and endemic plants. This endangers our endemic plants, and re-structures their habitats.

Our Biodiversity team undertakes management activities to reduce the local populations of several key invasive animals, particularly pest birds in farmers fields, feral pigeons affecting tropicbird nests, and terrapins in nature reserves. To date, four management plans for invasive animals have been written.  

Management Plans