Kraaifontein is our next-door neighbour, just up the road from our base in Brackenfell. It is a sprawling area with older suburbs in the middle, new estates on the edges and smallholdings beyond, so the pests run from cockroaches in flats to mice coming in off the farmland.
Birds around Kraaifontein
Pigeons roost on shopping centres and industrial buildings. Egyptian geese use dams and sports fields.
There are older family homes and semi-detached houses near the centre, newer townhouse complexes and security estates on the edges, and denser housing in areas like Wallacedene and Bloekombos. Smallholdings and farms in the Joostenberg Vlakte area add barns, stables and sheds. Each type of property brings its own mix of pests.
A note from the field
Bird proofing involves no poison at all, which makes it a good option for homes with children, dogs and cats.
Proofing over an active nest is a mistake. You either trap birds inside or they break through, so the clean-out always comes first.
Signs to look for
- Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
- Blocked gutters and downpipes full of nesting material.
- Tiny mites crawling on walls or bedding near a nest site.
- Birds regularly perching in the same spots over doorways or walkways.
- Droppings building up on ledges, walls, windowsills or under solar panels.
- 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.
How we handle bird proofing in Kraaifontein
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
- Clean gutters before winter, and check for nesting material at the same time.
- Fit mesh skirting around new solar panels at installation, before birds discover the gap.
- Close off broken air vents, missing tiles and open eaves as soon as you notice them.
- 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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can you get to Kraaifontein?
We are based in Brackenfell, right next door, but our average turnaround is still around 48 hours depending on the season. For urgent problems, call our 24-hour emergency line.
Do bird spikes hurt the birds?
No. The spikes are blunt and simply stop birds from landing comfortably. They move somewhere else.
Do mice come from the farms around Kraaifontein?
Yes, especially when fields are harvested or ploughed. Homes near open land benefit from boundary bait stations and sealed entry points.
Do you use poison on pigeons?
No. Bird proofing is about physical exclusion, which is safer and lasts longer than trying to kill birds.
Do you come out to Kraaifontein for bird proofing?
Yes. Kraaifontein is part of our regular Northern Suburbs route, along with Brackenfell, Durbanville, Kuils River, Bellville. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
