Newlands sits on the wet side of Table Mountain under big oaks and pines, and that moisture drives a lot of what we see here.
Newlands: what drives birds here
Egyptian geese use the sports fields and large lawns, and pigeons nest on roofs and chimneys. Bird proofing gutters and chimney openings stops most nesting.
There is a real mix: large older homes on generous plots, Newlands Village cottages, newer cluster homes and apartment blocks closer to Main Road and the sports grounds. Many of the older houses have timber floors, wooden ceilings and roof spaces that stay cool and damp.
Something most people miss
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.
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 to tell you have a problem
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: 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.
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.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our bird proofing service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Close off broken air vents, missing tiles and open eaves as soon as you notice them.
- 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.
- 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.
Questions we get asked in Newlands
Do you come out to Newlands for bird proofing?
Yes. Newlands is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Claremont, Rondebosch, Bishopscourt, Harfield Village. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
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.
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 bird spikes hurt the birds?
No. The spikes are blunt and simply stop birds from landing comfortably. They move somewhere else.
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.
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