Bird Proofing in Parklands

Parklands grew fast from bare dune land into rows of townhouse complexes and family homes, so many pest issues here come from the sand and open veld that still surround parts of it. Ants, mice and windblown flies are typical.

The local picture in Parklands

Egyptian geese settle around estate ponds and parks, and pigeons nest on roofs and solar panels. Bird proofing and deterrents help keep them away from homes.

Most homes are newer brick houses and townhouses in complexes with shared walls and gardens. Light roofs and modern building methods keep things tidy, but gaps around pipes, vents and garage doors let mice and insects in. Complexes share refuse areas, which can attract rodents. Some estates have ponds and open spaces with water features.

Parklands is built on sandy, windy coastal ground near Big Bay and Table View, with open dune and veld land still at the edges. The South-Easter blows hard in summer, and winter brings cold fronts and rain. Ponds and wetlands in estates and parks hold water year-round.

Ants and mice are the most common calls, with fleas in summer. Mosquitoes breed around ponds and water features. Egyptian geese and pigeons cause mess in estates.

Signs to look for

1. Cooing, scratching or flapping in the roof space or behind the gutters early in the morning.
2. Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
3. Droppings building up on ledges, walls, windowsills or under solar panels.
4. A sour smell around a roof area where birds have been nesting for a long time.
5. Birds regularly perching in the same spots over doorways or walkways.

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.

Worth knowing

For landlords and body corporates, pigeon problems become a tenant complaint quickly. Proofing the common areas once beats cleaning them every week.

Bird proofing involves no poison at all, which makes it a good option for homes with children, dogs and cats.

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.

1. Site survey

   We look at where the birds roost, nest and enter, and which surfaces need protecting.

2. Proposal

   We recommend the right mix of netting, spikes, wire or mesh for each spot and explain why.

3. Clean-out

   Nests, droppings and debris are removed safely before anything is fitted.

4. Install proofing

   Netting, spikes, wire or mesh is fixed so it is neat and secure against the south-easter.

5. Mite treatment and report

   If bird mites are present we treat the area, and you get a written report.

Prevention that actually works

• 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.
• Clean gutters before winter, and check for nesting material at the same time.
• 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.

Questions we get asked in Parklands

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