Add the restaurants on Kloof Street, old Victorian semis and a lot of flats, and you get a busy mix of pest work.
Biting insects around Gardens
Gardens lies on the lower slopes below Table Mountain, between the city centre and Kloof Nek. Winter rain runs down from the mountain, and in summer the South-Easter tumbles down off the mountain into the streets.
What gives them away
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Worth knowing
The first thing a technician checks is the roofline from outside. Droppings on the walls, feathers in the gutters and birds going in and out of a gap tell us where to look inside.
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.
Prevention that actually works
- Do not feed pigeons near the house, as a reliable food supply keeps them nesting on your roof.
- 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.
- Fit mesh or plastic closures under the first row of roof tiles and over gaps in fascia boards.
- Check air conditioning units, satellite dishes and solar panels, which create sheltered ledges birds love.
- Keep chicken coops well away from the house and treat them for mites regularly if you keep poultry.
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.
In Cape Town, pigeons can breed almost all year, but mynas, sparrows and starlings nest most heavily from late winter through spring and early summer. Bird mite complaints usually peak a few weeks after the chicks leave the nest, which tends to be in spring and early summer. Warm weather also speeds up the mites' activity, so problems are most noticeable in the hotter months.
Bird Mite Control questions from Gardens
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.
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.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Yes, you can stay. We will ask you to keep out of treated rooms until surfaces are dry, usually for a few hours.
How do I know it is bird mites and not bed bugs?
Bird mites are tiny and fast and are often seen near windows and ceilings, while bed bugs are larger and hide in beds. Recent bird activity on the roof is a strong clue, and we can check both.
Do you come out to Gardens for bird mite control?
Yes. Gardens is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Tamboerskloof, Oranjezicht, Vredehoek, Higgovale. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
