7 Dec 2015

Juvenile jail in American Samoa reopened after rat infestation

4:40 pm on 7 December 2015

American Samoa's Juvenile Detention Centre has re-opened after a week's closure due to a rat infestation.

When beech trees flower and produce large amounts of seed it provides food for pests such as rats.

When beech trees flower and produce large amounts of seed it provides food for pests such as rats. Photo: 123RF

The ten detainees housed at the juvenile centre were moved to the Fagaitua substation during the shutdown.

A local company, Mega Bugs Pest Control, has fumigated the facility and carried out other maintenance work.

The owner, Henry Roberts, says a lack of maintenance seems to be the cause of the rat infestation, with large holes in the ceilings and walls.