Plattekloof sits high on the Tygerberg Hills above the N1, so most of our calls here are about pests coming in from the hillside rather than from neighbours. Big gardens, open veld on the ridge and a busy office node lower down give it a mix of household and commercial work.
Birds around Plattekloof
Pigeons roost on the flat roofs and ledges of the office blocks, and Egyptian geese sometimes settle on lawns near water features. Bird spikes and netting on ledges solve most of it.
Most homes are large, freestanding family houses from the 1970s onwards, with tiled roofs, double garages and a fair number of pools. There are also townhouse complexes and the office parks off Plattekloof Road. The bigger houses have plenty of roof void and garage storage, which is where rodents and cockroaches settle in unnoticed. Office blocks and their kitchens need regular scheduled checks rather than once-off sprays.
Worth knowing
Proofing over an active nest is a mistake. You either trap birds inside or they break through, so the clean-out always comes first.
Tell-tale signs
- Blocked gutters and downpipes full of nesting material.
- 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.
- Tiny mites crawling on walls or bedding near a nest site.
- Cooing, scratching or flapping in the roof space or behind the gutters early in the morning.
How the treatment works
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.
Prevention that actually works
- Deal with the first nest quickly. Pigeons that breed on a site get attached to it.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
Bird Proofing questions from Plattekloof
Can you service the office parks in Plattekloof after hours?
Yes, after-hours and weekend visits can be arranged on request so staff are not disturbed. We leave a post-treatment report so building managers have a record.
Do you come out to Plattekloof for bird proofing?
Yes. Plattekloof is part of our regular Northern Suburbs route, along with Panorama, Parow, Monte Vista, Goodwood. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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 use poison on pigeons?
No. Bird proofing is about physical exclusion, which is safer and lasts longer than trying to kill birds.
Why do I get more mice in Plattekloof when it starts raining?
The first cold fronts flush mice out of the veld on the hill and they head for warm roofs and garages. Proofing entry points in April and May usually stops the seasonal wave.
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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