Delft is one of Cape Town's more densely built areas, with families living close together and many extra rooms built onto the back of houses. Most calls here are about rats, cockroaches and fleas, and the best results come from treating a few neighbouring homes together.
Delft: what drives biting insects here
Fleas from dogs and cats are probably the most common biting complaint. Bed bugs move easily where beds are shared or furniture changes hands, and both pests need home and pets treated together.
Delft lies on flat, sandy ground near Cape Town International Airport and the N2. The South-Easter blows sand and litter across open ground all summer, and in winter some streets become waterlogged when stormwater drains block. Vacant land around the edges gives rodents cover.
Housing is mostly government-built family homes on small plots, many extended with backyard rooms, wendy houses and informal structures. Homes stand close together, and extensions built with corrugated sheeting often leave gaps at the roofline. More people and more food in a small space gives pests plenty to work with. Spaza shops run from homes add stock rooms to the picture.
What gives them away
- Symptoms that ease when you leave the house for a few days and return when you come back.
- Nesting material, feathers and droppings visible at gaps in the fascia, under roof tiles or around the air conditioner.
- Tiny moving specks on window sills, bedding, white walls or the bathroom basin, especially near ceilings and light fittings.
- A prickling, crawling sensation on the skin, often at night or while sitting near a particular wall or window.
- Small itchy red bites on the arms, neck or torso that appear after birds have stopped using a nest.
- Birds seen flying in and out of the roof, gutters or eaves during the spring and early summer.
Worth knowing
Removing birds but leaving their nest behind is one of the most common mistakes. The empty nest is precisely what sends the mites looking for a new host, often you.
Bird nests also feed carpet beetles and clothes moths, so a house with an old nest in the roof can end up with damaged rugs and clothing even after the mites are gone.
What happens when we come out
The single most important step is finding and removing the nest, because treating the bedroom while the source remains in the roof only gives temporary relief. Our technician goes into the roof void and around the eaves and gutters, bags and removes nesting material, and treats the nest site and surrounding timbers with a residual spray or insecticidal dust. Inside, we treat the affected rooms with a light residual spray along skirting, window frames, light fittings and around ceiling penetrations where the mites come through. We then recommend or carry out bird proofing, such as closing gaps with mesh or fitting spikes or netting, so new birds cannot move into the same spot. Because a few mites may emerge in the days after, we check back if symptoms continue.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our bird mite control service works.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Keep chicken coops well away from the house and treat them for mites regularly if you keep poultry.
- Do not feed pigeons near the house, as a reliable food supply keeps them nesting on your roof.
- Fit mesh or plastic closures under the first row of roof tiles and over gaps in fascia boards.
- Keep gutters clean so birds are not encouraged to build nests in them.
- Watch your roofline in spring; if you see pigeons or mynas going in and out of a gap, have it dealt with before they lay eggs.
Pricing, honestly
The price depends mainly on how many nests there are, how easy the roof void and eaves are to get into, and how many rooms need treating inside. Bird proofing work such as mesh or spikes is quoted separately depending on the length of roofline and the materials needed. We give a free quote after inspection, and photos of the roofline sent via WhatsApp help us prepare.
Spraying the bedroom yourself might bring some relief, but it will not fix anything while the nest stays in the roof. Getting into roof voids and handling nests full of droppings and mites is not pleasant or particularly safe without the right protection. Our opinion is that this is one problem worth handing over, because the fix is mainly about finding and removing the source.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to remove the nest if the birds have already gone?
Yes. An empty nest is exactly when the mites go looking for new hosts, and the old nest also feeds other insects.
Should I see a doctor about the bites?
If the bites become infected or you have a strong reaction, yes. Tell the doctor about the bird nest, as this helps them rule out other causes.
Do you come out to Delft for bird mite control?
Yes. Delft is part of our regular Cape Flats route, along with Belhar, Bishop Lavis, Kuils River, Nyanga. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can bird mites live on me?
No, they cannot complete their life cycle on people and will die off within a few weeks without a bird host. They will keep biting while they search, which is why removing the nest is so important.
My children are getting bites at night in Delft. Is it fleas or bed bugs?
Bites around the ankles usually point to fleas, while rows of bites on arms, neck or back point to bed bugs. WhatsApp us a photo of any insect you find and we will help identify it.
Can you treat my whole row of houses in Delft for rats at once?
Yes, and it works better that way. Send us the addresses and we will give a free quote for treating the properties together.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254