Bishop Lavis sits close to Cape Town International Airport and Robert Sobukwe Road (the old Modderdam Road). It is densely built with flats, semis and backyard dwellings, and most pest problems here come from crowding, shared walls and waste that piles up between collections.
Bishop Lavis: what drives birds here
Pigeons settle on the flat blocks and on shop roofs along the main roads. Gulls fly in from the coast to illegal dumping spots, so clearing dumped waste helps more than any bird spike.
Housing is mostly council flats, semi-detached houses and backyard structures added over the years. Shared walls and roofs mean cockroaches and mice move easily between homes. Backyard rooms often have gaps at the walls and roof where rats can get in.
The area is flat Cape Flats sand with a high water table, so winter flooding and blocked stormwater drains are common. Open land near the airport and along the highways gives rodents room to breed. The South-Easter blows hard in summer.
Rats and mice are the top problem, with German cockroaches close behind. Ants surge after winter rain, and flies build up around waste. Bed bugs and fleas are common in crowded homes.
A note from the field
When we survey a building, the first thing we look for is where the droppings land. That tells us the roost spot, which is often not where the owner thinks it is.
For landlords and body corporates, pigeon problems become a tenant complaint quickly. Proofing the common areas once beats cleaning them every week.
What gives them away
- A sour smell around a roof area where birds have been nesting for a long time.
- Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
- Droppings building up on ledges, walls, windowsills or under solar panels.
- Tiny mites crawling on walls or bedding near a nest site.
- Cooing, scratching or flapping in the roof space or behind the gutters early in the morning.
Pigeon droppings are acidic, mark paintwork and roofing, and become slippery underfoot on walkways. Accumulated droppings and old nests can carry fungi and bacteria, and cleaning them up dry raises dust you do not want to breathe. Nests block gutters and cause water damage when winter rains back up into the roof. When birds leave a nest, their bird mites often wander indoors looking for a new host, which leads to itchy bites.
What happens when we come out
We start by watching where the birds actually land and nest, because proofing the wrong ledge is a waste of money. Ledges and beams get bird spikes or tensioned wire systems that stop birds settling. Larger open areas such as courtyards, loading bays and light wells get bird netting fixed to a frame so birds cannot get in at all. Gaps under solar panels and roof tiles are closed with mesh or panel skirting so pigeons cannot nest underneath. Old nests and droppings are removed first, and if bird mites are present we treat the area as well.
- Site survey
We look at where the birds roost, nest and enter, and which surfaces need protecting.
- Proposal
We recommend the right mix of netting, spikes, wire or mesh for each spot and explain why.
- Clean-out
Nests, droppings and debris are removed safely before anything is fitted.
- Install proofing
Netting, spikes, wire or mesh is fixed so it is neat and secure against the south-easter.
- Mite treatment and report
If bird mites are present we treat the area, and you get a written report.
Prevention that actually works
- Keep refuse bins closed and clean up spilt food around outdoor eating areas.
- Fit mesh skirting around new solar panels at installation, before birds discover the gap.
- Do not feed pigeons near your home or business. A reliable food source keeps them coming back.
- Clean gutters before winter, and check for nesting material at the same time.
- Deal with the first nest quickly. Pigeons that breed on a site get attached to it.
What affects the price
The cost depends on how many areas need proofing, how high they are and how much access equipment is needed. Netting a large courtyard or a warehouse roof is a bigger job than spiking a few ledges. Clean-out of heavy droppings and any mite treatment are included in the free quote once we have done the site survey.
Pigeons breed throughout the year in Cape Town, so proofing is a year-round job. We see a rush in late winter and spring when birds start nesting heavily, and again before the winter rains when people find their gutters blocked.
Bird Proofing questions from Bishop Lavis
Does being near the airport bring more rats into Bishop Lavis?
The open land around the airport and highways does give rats room to breed, so homes on the edges see more activity. Perimeter baiting and closing gaps under doors keeps them out.
Do you use poison on pigeons?
No. Bird proofing is about physical exclusion, which is safer and lasts longer than trying to kill birds.
How do I stop cockroaches spreading between flats in Bishop Lavis?
Treat as many neighbouring units as possible at the same time, because German cockroaches move through shared walls and pipes. Keeping food sealed and dishes washed overnight makes the treatment last longer.
Do you come out to Bishop Lavis for bird proofing?
Yes. Bishop Lavis is part of our regular Cape Flats route, along with Bonteheuwel, Elsies River, Belhar, Delft. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Will netting be visible?
Bird netting is fine and usually black or clear, so from the ground it is hard to see once it is fitted.
Why am I getting bites after the pigeons left?
That is often bird mites leaving an abandoned nest. They do not live on people, but they bite, and we treat the nest area to stop them.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254