Rondebosch East is a quiet residential suburb of family homes, tidy gardens and long-established households. Most of the work we do here is keeping well-kept houses free of the pests that drift in from the busier roads and open land around it.
Birds around Rondebosch East
Pigeons and Indian mynas nest under roof tiles and in solar panel gaps. Bird proofing under panels has become a common job.
Homes are mostly single-storey brick houses on decent-sized plots, many extended with second storeys, granny flats or garages over the years. Tiled roofs with timber trusses are the norm. Extensions often leave small gaps where new roof meets old, and that's where rats and mynas get in. Several mosques, schools and small businesses along the main roads have their own pest needs.
The suburb sits on flat ground on the western edge of the Cape Flats, with sandy soil and open spaces such as school fields nearby. The Black River corridor and the M5 run to the west. Winters bring heavy rain and some stormwater ponding, while summers are hot and windy.
Tell-tale signs
- Tiny mites crawling on walls or bedding near a nest site.
- Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
- Birds regularly perching in the same spots over doorways or walkways.
- Droppings building up on ledges, walls, windowsills or under solar panels.
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.
A note from the field
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.
How we handle bird proofing in Rondebosch East
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Do not feed pigeons near your home or business. A reliable food source keeps them coming back.
- 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.
- Keep refuse bins closed and clean up spilt food around outdoor eating areas.
- Deal with the first nest quickly. Pigeons that breed on a site get attached to it.
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.
Questions we get asked in Rondebosch East
Why do pigeons keep nesting under my solar panels in Rondebosch East?
The space under panels is sheltered, warm and hard for predators to reach. Fitting a mesh barrier around the panel edges is the most reliable fix.
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.
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.
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.
Can you disinfect our mosque or school hall before a large event?
Yes, we offer disinfection and fogging for community spaces. Tell us the date and we'll arrange a time that fits, including after hours.
Do you come out to Rondebosch East for bird proofing?
Yes. Rondebosch East is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Crawford, Athlone, Lansdowne, Rondebosch. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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