Glencairn is a quiet strip of False Bay coast where the Simon's Town train runs right past the beach and the houses step up the slopes toward the mountain. Behind the sand sits a reedy wetland, and that one feature explains a good share of the calls we get from here.
Birds around Glencairn
Gulls perch on roofs and decks near the beach, and pigeons nest in eaves on the heights. Spikes on ridgelines and netting under decks keep them away.
Homes on the heights are mostly freestanding family houses with big windows and decks, some built into the slope with retaining walls and dark storerooms underneath. Down near the water there are older holiday cottages, some with timber floors and roofs that take a beating from salt air. Holiday lets stand empty for weeks and then fill up, which gives rodents time to settle in unnoticed.
The Glencairn wetland catches water coming off the mountain before it reaches the sea, and in warm weather its still margins breed mosquitoes. Fynbos slopes and Table Mountain National Park land rise behind the village, bringing scorpions, rain spiders and the odd snake into gardens. Chacma baboons also pass through on the higher streets, so bins left out attract more than flies. Sea mist and winter rain keep timber and storerooms damp.
Mosquitoes from the wetland are the headline problem from late spring to autumn. Rodents move into storerooms and roof spaces when the weather turns. Ants, fishmoths and the occasional scorpion round out the list for homes on the slopes.
What gives them away
- Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
- Cooing, scratching or flapping in the roof space or behind the gutters early in the morning.
- Droppings building up on ledges, walls, windowsills or under solar panels.
- A sour smell around a roof area where birds have been nesting for a long time.
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.
Something most people miss
Bird mites are the hidden side of nesting birds. When the chicks fledge, the mites go looking for a meal and sometimes find the people inside.
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.
How the treatment works
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.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our bird proofing service works.
Prevention that actually works
- Close off broken air vents, missing tiles and open eaves as soon as you notice them.
- Fit mesh skirting around new solar panels at installation, before birds discover the gap.
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
Do you come out to Glencairn for bird proofing?
Yes. Glencairn is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Simon's Town, Fish Hoek, Sun Valley, Clovelly. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Does the Glencairn wetland cause the mosquitoes in my house?
It is a big source, especially in warm, still weather. Screening windows, emptying standing water in the garden and a targeted treatment around the house cut the numbers down.
Do bird spikes hurt the birds?
No. The spikes are blunt and simply stop birds from landing comfortably. They move somewhere else.
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.
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 treat a Glencairn holiday home while I'm away?
Yes, we can arrange access with a neighbour or agent and send you a post-treatment report afterwards. Photo identification via WhatsApp also helps you check what was found.
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