Zonnebloem covers much of what was District Six, between the city centre and Woodstock, with the CPUT campus at its centre. Today it is a mix of campus buildings, newer housing and open land, and that combination gives pests plenty of room.
The local picture in Zonnebloem
Pigeons roost on the ledges and roofs of large buildings. Netting and spikes keep entrances and walkways clean.
The CPUT campus, student residences, schools, churches and mosques sit alongside newer housing developments and older homes. Open land left after the forced removals still surrounds parts of the area. Student residences and shared housing see a quick turnover of occupants, which can bring in bed bugs and cockroaches.
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 mites are the hidden side of nesting birds. When the chicks fledge, the mites go looking for a meal and sometimes find the people inside.
Signs to look for
- Blocked gutters and downpipes full of nesting material.
- Twigs, grass and feathers sticking out from under roof tiles or panels.
- Droppings building up on ledges, walls, windowsills or under solar panels.
- Tiny mites crawling on walls or bedding near a nest site.
Our process, step by step
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
- 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.
- Deal with the first nest quickly. Pigeons that breed on a site get attached to it.
- 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.
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.
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.
Bird Proofing questions from Zonnebloem
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.
Do bird spikes hurt the birds?
No. The spikes are blunt and simply stop birds from landing comfortably. They move somewhere else.
Do you come out to Zonnebloem for bird proofing?
Yes. Zonnebloem is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Walmer Estate, University Estate, Woodstock, Vredehoek. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can you treat a whole student residence in Zonnebloem for bed bugs?
Yes. We inspect, treat affected rooms and neighbouring ones, and give a post-treatment report, which helps residence managers keep track.
Why are there so many rats around the open land in Zonnebloem?
Open land with long grass, dumped waste and old drains gives rats food and shelter. Buildings nearby need sealed entry points and perimeter bait stations to keep them out.
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