Oranjezicht climbs right up to the edge of Table Mountain, so a lot of what comes into homes here walks in off the mountain. Rats, squirrels, wasps and the odd scorpion are all part of living this close to the national park.
Biting insects around Oranjezicht
Fleas come in with pets that walk on the mountain. Bird mites can follow nesting pigeons in roof gaps.
The suburb backs onto Table Mountain National Park, with mountain streams, the Molteno reservoir area and De Waal Park nearby. Winter rain runs off the mountain and keeps properties damp, while the South-Easter blows down hard in summer. Trees and greenbelts link gardens directly to the mountain.
Grand Victorian and Edwardian houses with wooden floors, pressed ceilings and old roof timbers sit beside modern glass-fronted homes and small apartment blocks. Many of the older homes have cellars, servant's quarters and large gardens with retaining walls. Gaps in old stonework and roof flashings are where rodents tend to get in. Apartment blocks add shared bin areas and ducts.
Rats and squirrels moving in from the mountain are the most common issue. Wood borer in old timber, fishmoths in damp rooms and wasps in summer are regular calls. Ants come indoors in the dry, windy months.
From the technician
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 gives them away
- Symptoms that ease when you leave the house for a few days and return when you come back.
- Birds seen flying in and out of the roof, gutters or eaves during the spring and early summer.
- Nesting material, feathers and droppings visible at gaps in the fascia, under roof tiles or around the air conditioner.
- A prickling, crawling sensation on the skin, often at night or while sitting near a particular wall or window.
Our process, step by step
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
- Fit mesh or plastic closures under the first row of roof tiles and over gaps in fascia boards.
- 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.
- Keep chicken coops well away from the house and treat them for mites regularly if you keep poultry.
- 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.
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 Oranjezicht
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 Oranjezicht houses need wood borer checks?
Older homes with original timber often do, especially before a sale. We inspect roof timbers and floors and report any active borer.
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 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.
Do you come out to Oranjezicht for bird mite control?
Yes. Oranjezicht is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Gardens, Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof, Higgovale. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Why do rats keep coming into my Oranjezicht roof?
Because your property is close to the mountain and greenbelts, which gives them easy access. Sealing gaps in roof flashings and cutting back trees near the roof keeps them out longer.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
