Your chance to ask questions to the Iriyah! 
The Shemesh online website presents your questions to city council member Avi Ehrentreu, and every week we will post his answers here.

Question from a local resident: (There were several similar questions)
The bird population is Beit Shemesh is growing. The pigeons make mess everywhere which is very unpleasant. Worse, the birds carry bird lice and people get sick from them. Two families in my building had body lice and sores recently, and my family doctor said he is seeing a lot of cases of body lice. In European cities, feed is put out with birth control in it which does not harm the birds but slows the population growth. Can we please get that here in RBS?

Avi Ehrentreu answers:

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns about the growing pigeon population in Bet Shemesh. I completely understand how frustrating and unpleasant it can be to deal with the mess left on cars, roofs, and porches, not to mention the health concerns you’ve raised. Hearing about the cases of body lice and the impact on families in your building is deeply troubling, and I appreciate you bringing this to my attention.

The suggestion you mentioned regarding birth control for pigeons is both innovative and humane. It’s particularly encouraging to learn about its success in European cities as a method to control the population without harming the birds. I’ve already begun looking into this possibility and have discussed the pigeon issue with the Sanitation Department and the team responsible for animal and bird welfare in Bet Shemesh.

Currently, no cities in Israel are actively managing pigeon populations through methods like poisoning or birth control, which highlights how underexplored this issue is nationwide. However, I’ve suggested initiating research into potential solutions, including those that have been implemented abroad. I believe that with the right focus and effort, Bet Shemesh can become a pioneer in addressing this challenge in Israel.

While we’re still in the exploratory phase, I’m optimistic that we can identify practical options for the city. I encourage you to keep an eye on updates throughout 2025, as I hope we’ll make significant progress by then. Your feedback is invaluable, and it inspires us to work harder to find effective and sustainable solutions for our community.

Thank you again for taking the time to write and bring to my attention issues that bother you in Bet Shemesh. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have further ideas or questions. Together, we can continue working to improve our city.

Warm regards, Avi Ehrentreu

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Do you have a question or concern about city services in Beit Shemesh?

Now’s your chance to ask directly! Each week, Avi Ehrentreu, a member of city council will answer a question(s) from local residents in our new Q&A column. Avi Ehrentreu is a devoted community leader and Councilman, known for his commitment to enriching local life through innovation and community engagement. At the core of his public service is a deep-seated passion for family and community, driving him to contribute significantly to local governance.

Ask your question here: https://sheme.sh/AskAvi

Thank you for participating and helping us improve our community!
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