Marina da Gama is built around a network of canals off Zandvlei, with houses that back right onto the water and little jetties at the end of the garden. Living on the water is lovely, but it also means midges, mosquitoes and rats are part of the conversation.
Biting insects around Marina da Gama
Mosquito bites are the most common complaint, especially on summer evenings. Midges don't bite, but they are a nuisance.
The canals connect to Zandvlei, a large estuary with reed beds and wetlands that open to False Bay. Warm, still water in summer is perfect for midges and mosquitoes. The South-Easter blows hard across the vlei, and winter storms can push the water level up.
Most homes are free-standing houses and townhouses from the 1970s onwards, many with timber decks, boathouses and jetties on the canals. The decks and boathouses give rats and spiders plenty of hiding spots. Tightly spaced houses mean a rodent problem next door can quickly become yours.
Signs to look for
- A prickling, crawling sensation on the skin, often at night or while sitting near a particular wall or window.
- Nesting material, feathers and droppings visible at gaps in the fascia, under roof tiles or around the air conditioner.
- 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.
- Symptoms that ease when you leave the house for a few days and return when you come back.
- Tiny moving specks on window sills, bedding, white walls or the bathroom basin, especially near ceilings and light fittings.
Worth knowing
In flats and sectional title complexes, nests on a shared roof are usually a body corporate matter. Raising it early with the managing agent avoids months of bites for the top-floor units.
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
- 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.
- Keep gutters clean so birds are not encouraged to build nests in them.
- Do not feed pigeons near the house, as a reliable food supply keeps them nesting on your roof.
- Keep chicken coops well away from the house and treat them for mites regularly if you keep poultry.
How much will it cost?
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.
Questions we get asked in Marina da Gama
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.
Are there rats under my deck by the canal?
Quite possibly. The space under decks and jetties is dark and sheltered, close to water, so rats like it. We can inspect, bait safely and seal off access.
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.
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 you come out to Marina da Gama for bird mite control?
Yes. Marina da Gama is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Muizenberg, Lakeside, Lavender Hill, Steenberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can you get rid of the midges in Marina da Gama?
Not completely, because they breed in Zandvlei itself, which we can't treat. We can reduce resting midges around your home and advise on lighting and screens to keep them out.
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