Melkbos still feels like a seaside village, even with the newer estates spreading along the R27. Wind, sand and kelp on the beach set the tone for what bugs people here, along with the open veld that surrounds the town.
Birds in Melkbosstrand: what we see
Gulls perch on roofs and gutters near the beach, and pigeons nest under solar panels. Bird proofing keeps both off without harming them.
The old village has holiday cottages and family homes close to the beach, while the newer side is all security estates, golf estate houses and townhouse complexes. Holiday homes left closed for months tend to collect mice and fishmoths. Estates backing onto open strandveld get more field mice, crickets and spiders than the streets in the village.
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.
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.
What gives them away
- Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
- Tiny mites crawling on walls or bedding near a nest site.
- Birds regularly perching in the same spots over doorways or walkways.
- Blocked gutters and downpipes full of nesting material.
- 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.
How we handle bird proofing in Melkbosstrand
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
A few spikes on a low windowsill is a fine DIY job. Netting and solar panel proofing at height is not, both for safety and because poorly tensioned netting sags, traps birds and ends up looking messy. I would rather do it once and do it properly.
Frequently asked questions
Do estates near the veld get more mice?
Yes. Homes backing onto strandveld see more field mice, especially when the weather turns cold. Sealing gaps and placing bait stations along the boundary helps.
Why are there so many flies on Melkbos beach after a storm?
Those are kelp flies breeding in rotting kelp washed up by the waves. They usually die down once the kelp dries out or is cleared, but they can drift into nearby homes in the meantime.
Do you use poison on pigeons?
No. Bird proofing is about physical exclusion, which is safer and lasts longer than trying to kill birds.
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.
Do you come out to Melkbosstrand for bird proofing?
Yes. Melkbosstrand is part of our regular Blaauwberg & West Coast route, along with Bloubergstrand, Atlantis, Table View, Parklands. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
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