Ask a Capetonian about the Southern Suburbs and they will picture oak-lined avenues, the mountain looming over Newlands and the rain that rolls in off it in winter. Those same oaks, gardens and wet months are why squirrels, rats, ants and wood borer make up so much of our work between Rondebosch and Constantia.
Bird Proofing by suburb
We cover all 29 suburbs on our Southern Suburbs route. Each suburb page covers what we find there and what works for those streets and buildings.
- BergvlietBird Proofing
- BishopscourtBird Proofing
- ClaremontBird Proofing
- ConstantiaBird Proofing
- Diep RiverBird Proofing
- Harfield VillageBird Proofing
- HeathfieldBird Proofing
- KenilworthBird Proofing
- KenwynBird Proofing
- KirstenhofBird Proofing
- KreupelboschBird Proofing
- LansdowneBird Proofing
- MeadowridgeBird Proofing
- MowbrayBird Proofing
- NdabeniBird Proofing
- NewlandsBird Proofing
- ObservatoryBird Proofing
- OtteryBird Proofing
- PinelandsBird Proofing
- PlumsteadBird Proofing
- RetreatBird Proofing
- RondeboschBird Proofing
- Rondebosch EastBird Proofing
- RosebankBird Proofing
- Salt RiverBird Proofing
- SouthfieldBird Proofing
- SteenbergBird Proofing
- TokaiBird Proofing
- WynbergBird Proofing
Birds in Southern Suburbs: what we see
Egyptian geese patrol school fields, sports grounds and big lawns, while pigeons nest on flats and shopping centre ledges in Claremont and Wynberg. Hadeda ibis also wake up whole streets at dawn, though they cause little damage.
The housing spans Victorian semis in Rondebosch and Claremont, big Edwardian and mid-century family homes in Newlands and Bishopscourt, student digs near UCT, blocks of flats around Wynberg and Claremont, and old farm-style homesteads and estates in Constantia. Many older homes have suspended timber floors, deep roof voids and outbuildings that rodents and squirrels quickly claim. Thatched roofs and gabled homesteads in Constantia bring their own timber and rodent issues.
This side of Table Mountain catches far more rain than the rest of the city, and Newlands is among the wettest suburbs in Cape Town. Kirstenbosch, Newlands Forest and the mountain slopes border the upper edge, while the Liesbeek River winds through Newlands and Rondebosch toward the Black River. Winter damp encourages fishmoths and borer, and the canopy of oaks and pines keeps grey squirrels well supplied.
Grey squirrels and roof rats in ceilings are the classic Southern Suburbs complaint, especially in autumn and winter. Argentine ants surge indoors when it gets hot and dry, and fishmoths love the damp. Wood borer is a constant concern in older homes, and mosquitoes breed in gutters and water features after rain.
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.
For landlords and body corporates, pigeon problems become a tenant complaint quickly. Proofing the common areas once beats cleaning them every week.
Signs to look for
- 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.
- Birds regularly perching in the same spots over doorways or walkways.
- Blocked gutters and downpipes full of nesting material.
- Droppings building up on ledges, walls, windowsills or under solar panels.
- Tiny mites crawling on walls or bedding near a nest site.
How we handle bird proofing in Southern Suburbs
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Do not feed pigeons near your home or business. A reliable food source keeps them coming back.
- Fit mesh skirting around new solar panels at installation, before birds discover the gap.
- 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.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a beetle certificate to sell an old house in the Southern Suburbs?
In most sales, yes, it is a condition of the deed of sale. Older homes with timber floors and roof beams are inspected closely, so it is worth checking before you list.
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.
Do you use poison on pigeons?
No. Bird proofing is about physical exclusion, which is safer and lasts longer than trying to kill birds.
Do you come out to Southern Suburbs for bird proofing?
Yes. Southern Suburbs is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Wynberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
How do I get grey squirrels out of my roof in the Southern Suburbs?
The first step is finding and sealing every entry point once the squirrels are out, usually along fascias near trees. We can inspect your roof and advise on proofing and safe removal.
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