The director of the D.C. Department of Health said the only way to eradicate an infestation of rats at two Occupy protest camps in the District is to completely clear the parks of tents and structures until the rodents are dealt with.

But there’s no telling whether the National Park Service, which controls both the McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza campsites, would agree to such a drastic step even though tents would be removed only temporarily, District Health Director Mohammad Akhter told The Washington Examiner on Tuesday.