Ocean View sits on the windy slopes above Kommetjie, a close-knit community where flats and family homes are built fairly tightly together. Wind, fynbos edges and shared buildings decide most of the pest problems we deal with here.
Ocean View: what drives birds here
Pigeons get into the ceilings of older flats through lifted roof sheeting, and gulls from the coast sit on flat roofs. Fixing the sheeting and meshing the eaves usually ends it.
The housing is a mix of council-built flats, semi-detached and freestanding brick homes, with backyard rooms added on many properties. In the flats, shared stairwells, refuse areas and plumbing give cockroaches and rodents an easy path between units. Backyard structures with gaps at ground level let mice and rats straight in. Older roofs sometimes have loose sheeting where birds and rodents get into the ceiling.
The suburb is on exposed ground below Slangkop, with Table Mountain National Park fynbos and the Kommetjie coastline nearby. The wind is strong for much of the year, and winter fronts come straight off the Atlantic. Sandy soils and open veld around the edges harbour rodents and insects.
Tell-tale signs
- Birds regularly perching in the same spots over doorways or walkways.
- Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
- 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.
Something most people miss
Bird proofing involves no poison at all, which makes it a good option for homes with children, dogs and cats.
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.
How we handle bird proofing in Ocean View
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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- 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.
- Do not feed pigeons near your home or business. A reliable food source keeps them coming back.
- Deal with the first nest quickly. Pigeons that breed on a site get attached to it.
Pricing, honestly
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 Ocean View for bird proofing?
Yes. Ocean View is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Kommetjie, Masiphumelele, Noordhoek, Sun Valley. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Do bird spikes hurt the birds?
No. The spikes are blunt and simply stop birds from landing comfortably. They move somewhere else.
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.
Are scorpions common in Ocean View homes?
They do show up, especially in houses near the fynbos and rocky ground. Most are not dangerous, but we can treat entry points and send a WhatsApp photo ID if you are unsure.
Why do cockroaches keep coming back in Ocean View flats?
Because they travel through shared pipes and walls between units. Treating neighbouring flats and the refuse area together gives a much longer-lasting result.
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.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254