The building's facade and roofs have become a cozy haven for feathered nuisances - The pricey pigeon poop predicament at Berlin's Red Town Hall
If you took a wildlife expert's word for it, you'd conclude that the Rotes Rathaus, along with Alexanderplatz and the Neptune Fountain, resembles an uninviting rocky terrain. You see, pigeons seem to favor such environments.
According to Derk Ehlert, a local wildlife officer, this popular Berlin landmark has become a popular hangout for the winged creatures, even with numerous fixtures to deter them.
"They're not isolated in their groups," he explains.
Thanks to the bountiful resources, pigeons have made the town hall their second home. The overabundance of pigeon droppings has now forced town hall employees to stop using the exterior staircase in the inner courtyard for... well, hygienic reasons.
The signs posted on the glass doors are in no uncertain terms: "Don't use the stairs, for goodness' sake, because of hygiene concerns."
As expected, high-pressure cleaning is no stranger to the area, taking place once a month with a hefty price tag of 1440 euros. Since 2020, a total of 30,000 euros has been spent on this pesky issue.
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The excessive pigeon droppings have become quite the talking point in local news, with the Red Town Hall sharing its own problems. Signs warning both employees and visitors not to use certain staircases for hygiene reasons have become the norm.
However, one deaf Berliner resident voiced their opinion, striking a balanced note. They caution that the removal of pigeons could potentially encourage these creatures to nest elsewhere in the city, potentially triggering issues there.
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While the Red Town Hall has yet to divulge exact measures and costs, the general practice and financial implications of addressing such nuisances in urban settings can be gleaned from various sources.
Addressing Pigeon Droppings Challenges
- Cleaning and Disinfection: Regular cleaning and disinfection are necessary to remove droppings and prevent the spread of diseases, which can range from a few hundred to several thousand euros per year.
- Bird Control Methods: Installing bird-repellent systems or using visual deterrents can range from €500 to €5,000, while humane control methods, such as decoy birds or sound devices, may cost up to €1,000.
- Environmental Modifications: Altering the environment to make it less appealing to pigeons can cost anywhere from a few hundreds to thousands of euros.
Berlin's Pigeon Droppings Expenditure
With an estimated 1440 euros spent per month on high-pressure cleaning, the total cost of pigeon-related cleanup hits close to 30,000 euros since 2020. While specific investments in bird control or environmental modifications have not been disclosed, this figure underscores the ongoing battle against Berlin's winged intruders.
