Oranjezicht climbs right up to the edge of Table Mountain, so a lot of what comes into homes here walks in off the mountain. Rats, squirrels, wasps and the odd scorpion are all part of living this close to the national park.
Oranjezicht: what drives birds here
Pigeons nest on chimneys and roof ledges, and Egyptian geese use De Waal Park. Bird proofing chimneys and roof ledges is the long-term fix.
Grand Victorian and Edwardian houses with wooden floors, pressed ceilings and old roof timbers sit beside modern glass-fronted homes and small apartment blocks. Many of the older homes have cellars, servant's quarters and large gardens with retaining walls. Gaps in old stonework and roof flashings are where rodents tend to get in. Apartment blocks add shared bin areas and ducts.
The suburb backs onto Table Mountain National Park, with mountain streams, the Molteno reservoir area and De Waal Park nearby. Winter rain runs off the mountain and keeps properties damp, while the South-Easter blows down hard in summer. Trees and greenbelts link gardens directly to the mountain.
Rats and squirrels moving in from the mountain are the most common issue. Wood borer in old timber, fishmoths in damp rooms and wasps in summer are regular calls. Ants come indoors in the dry, windy months.
What gives them away
- Birds regularly perching in the same spots over doorways or walkways.
- Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
- A sour smell around a roof area where birds have been nesting for a long time.
- 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.
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.
Bird proofing involves no poison at all, which makes it a good option for homes with children, dogs and cats.
How we handle bird proofing in Oranjezicht
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
- Deal with the first nest quickly. Pigeons that breed on a site get attached to it.
- 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.
- Keep refuse bins closed and clean up spilt food around outdoor eating areas.
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.
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.
Questions we get asked in Oranjezicht
Do Oranjezicht houses need wood borer checks?
Older homes with original timber often do, especially before a sale. We inspect roof timbers and floors and report any active borer.
Do you come out to Oranjezicht for bird proofing?
Yes. Oranjezicht is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Gardens, Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof, Higgovale. 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.
Do bird spikes hurt the birds?
No. The spikes are blunt and simply stop birds from landing comfortably. They move somewhere else.
Why do rats keep coming into my Oranjezicht roof?
Because your property is close to the mountain and greenbelts, which gives them easy access. Sealing gaps in roof flashings and cutting back trees near the roof keeps them out longer.
Do you use poison on pigeons?
No. Bird proofing is about physical exclusion, which is safer and lasts longer than trying to kill birds.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254