Firgrove is a small, quiet spot on the Somerset West side of the Helderberg, with a country feel and a lot of open land around it. People here mostly call us about mice from the fields, flies around animals and wasps in the sheds.
Birds in Firgrove: what we see
Pigeons and doves roost in barns and sheds, and Egyptian geese visit dams and wet fields. Netting the open sides of a barn is often the most practical answer.
You get a mix of older village houses, smallholdings with sheds and stables, and some newer homes on larger plots. Smallholdings often keep animal feed, poultry and compost, which is a standing invitation to rodents. Older homes and outbuildings with exposed timber are worth checking for borer. Sheds full of stored equipment make perfect quiet nesting spots.
How to tell you have a problem
- Blocked gutters and downpipes full of nesting material.
- Droppings building up on ledges, walls, windowsills or under solar panels.
- Tiny mites crawling on walls or bedding near a nest site.
- Birds regularly perching in the same spots over doorways or walkways.
- Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
- A sour smell around a roof area where birds have been nesting for a long time.
Something most people miss
For landlords and body corporates, pigeon problems become a tenant complaint quickly. Proofing the common areas once beats cleaning them every week.
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Clean gutters before winter, and check for nesting material at the same time.
- Close off broken air vents, missing tiles and open eaves as soon as you notice them.
- Do not feed pigeons near your home or business. A reliable food source keeps them coming back.
- Fit mesh skirting around new solar panels at installation, before birds discover the gap.
- Keep refuse bins closed and clean up spilt food around outdoor eating areas.
How much will it cost?
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.
Questions we get asked in Firgrove
Why are there suddenly mice in my Firgrove house in autumn?
Cooler weather and work on the surrounding fields push mice toward warm, sheltered buildings. Sealing gaps under doors and around pipes early in autumn keeps most of them out.
Do you come out to Firgrove for bird proofing?
Yes. Firgrove is part of our regular Helderberg route, along with Somerset West, Macassar, Strand, Helderberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Do you service smallholdings and outbuildings in Firgrove?
Yes. We cover the house, sheds, stables and feed stores, and we plan bait placement so it stays out of reach of pets and livestock.
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.
Can you do commercial buildings?
Yes, a lot of our bird proofing is shops, warehouses and blocks of flats where droppings affect staff and customers.
Can you stop pigeons nesting under my solar panels?
Yes. We clean out the nests and fit mesh skirting around the panel edges so birds cannot get underneath.
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