Rats are already part of the urban landscape of Berlin: they run between the subway tracks and cross streets in the light of the day
ISABELLA MENON
Berlin, Germany (Folhapress) – “, warns posters in German, Turkish and English at Hermannplatz in Berlin. The warning seeks to raise awareness of those who go through the bustling square that birds, throw food on the floor or discard trash inappropriately contributes directly to the increase of the rodent population in the region.
Hermannnplatz, located in Neukölln district, houses a popular gastronomic fair, and authorities fear that the constant presence of rats can bring disease to the present-it is stated that the animal is able to transmit 100 types of diseases, and the most common are hepatitis, tuberculosis, anger, exhaustatic typhoid, and salmonelosis, infection caused by the bacterium, infection. Salmonella.
The new warnings are part of a package of new measures to contain the infestation of mice on site, which includes fines of up to € 25,000 (about $ 160,000).
On the afternoon of Friday (27), merchants dismantled their tents while one of them still sold coffee. “They [os ratos] They are everywhere, ”commented one of them to Folha, asking not to be identified.
A few meters away, another marketer recognizes the problem, but reacts with indifference. For him, the presence of rats is common in large cities – specially in regions with a lot of exposed food and trash on the streets. A resident of the South Zone of Berlin, reports that he faces the same problem close to home and admits that by feeding birds in the garden, he eventually attracted the rodents.
Rats are already part of the urban landscape of Berlin: they run between the subway tracks and cross streets in the light of day. In Neukölln, previous attempts of poisoned bait control had no effect. The main obstacle, according to local authorities, is easy access to food. Therefore, from July 1, it will be prohibited to feed directly or indirect rats, through the inappropriate disposal of food, feed or edible waste.
A note published on the city’s official website stresses that poultry or other animals feeding – as a pet – will only be allowed if it is guaranteed that rats do not have access to food or remains.
“All food residue should be removed immediately after food,” says the Neukölln district guideline. The text also advises that waste be safely discarded, preferably in appropriate household containers. “Foods should be stored so that they are out of rodent reach.”
In a note issued by the Berlin website, the district councilman for social affairs and health of Neukölln, Hannes Rehfeldt, says the measures adopted in recent years to reduce the population of rat will have no effect as long as there is so much food offering in hermannnplatz.
“We are humans who create the ideal conditions for the proliferation of these animals. The size of this population depends directly on our behavior. Therefore, the message of the district government is clear: do not feed the rats.”
In addition to the sanctions and the poster awareness campaign, the city studies implementing structural changes in HermannNplatz, with the objective of eliminating possible nesting places – that is, nest construction – rats.
