Mouille Point is a strip of apartment blocks facing the sea between the lighthouse and the Waterfront, so most of our work is in flats, basements and bin rooms. Sea air, shared services and a busy promenade shape almost every pest problem here.
The local picture in Mouille Point
Kelp gulls and pigeons settle on balconies, railings and air-conditioner units facing the sea. Netting balconies and fitting spikes on ledges are the reliable fixes, and body corporate approval is normally needed first.
Most people live in mid-rise and high-rise blocks along Beach Road, many built in the sixties and seventies with newer luxury developments in between. Shared refuse rooms, service ducts and basement parking connect every unit in a building, so a cockroach problem in one flat rarely stays there. Balconies facing the ocean collect gull and pigeon droppings. Body corporates usually want the whole block treated at once, which works far better than one flat at a time.
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.
Fake owls and shiny CDs work for about a week. Pigeons are not stupid, and once they realise the owl never moves they sit right next to it.
Signs to look for
- Blocked gutters and downpipes full of nesting material.
- Cooing, scratching or flapping in the roof space or behind the gutters early in the morning.
- A sour smell around a roof area where birds have been nesting for a long time.
- Droppings building up on ledges, walls, windowsills or under solar panels.
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 Mouille Point
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
- Clean gutters before winter, and check for nesting material at the same time.
- Do not feed pigeons near your home or business. A reliable food source keeps them coming back.
- 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.
- Close off broken air vents, missing tiles and open eaves as soon as you notice them.
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.
Bird Proofing questions from Mouille Point
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.
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 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.
Do you come out to Mouille Point for bird proofing?
Yes. Mouille Point is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Green Point, Three Anchor Bay, Sea Point, De Waterkant. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Do cockroaches in Mouille Point flats come from the sea or the drains?
The drains, mostly. American cockroaches live in the sewer and stormwater lines and come up through floor drains and ducts, especially after winter storms.
How do I stop gulls messing on my Mouille Point balcony?
Bird netting or a tension wire system over the balcony is the most effective option, and spikes help on narrow ledges. We remove nests and clean up first so the birds do not keep returning.
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