Kraaifontein is our next-door neighbour, just up the road from our base in Brackenfell. It is a sprawling area with older suburbs in the middle, new estates on the edges and smallholdings beyond, so the pests run from cockroaches in flats to mice coming in off the farmland.
Kraaifontein: what drives rodents here
Field mice and rats move from farmland and open veld into homes, especially after harvest and when the rain starts. Bait stations along boundaries help.
There are older family homes and semi-detached houses near the centre, newer townhouse complexes and security estates on the edges, and denser housing in areas like Wallacedene and Bloekombos. Smallholdings and farms in the Joostenberg Vlakte area add barns, stables and sheds. Each type of property brings its own mix of pests.
The town sits on flat to gently rolling land where the Northern Suburbs meet the farmland of the Joostenberg Vlakte. Summers are hot and dry, much hotter than the coast, and winters are cold and wet. That inland heat drives ant and fly numbers up in summer, and the cold sends field mice indoors in winter.
Rats and mice from open land and farms, Argentine ants and flies in summer are top of the list. German cockroaches are common in denser housing and shops. Wasps and fleas round it out.
Worth knowing
In flats and townhouses, mice often move between units through shared walls and service ducts, so one owner treating alone may only push them next door.
The biggest mistake is putting traps in the middle of the floor. Mice run along walls, so traps should be against the skirting with the trigger facing the wall.
Signs to look for
- Light scratching in the walls or under the kitchen units at night.
- Shredded paper, fabric or insulation bundled into a nest in a hidden corner.
- Tiny footprints or tail marks in dust on top of cupboards or in the garage.
- A sharp, ammonia-like smell inside closed cupboards.
Mice urinate constantly as they move, which contaminates food, crockery and work surfaces. They can carry salmonella and other bacteria into kitchen areas, which is a real problem for food businesses and homes with babies. They chew through wiring behind appliances and inside walls, and they ruin stored linen, paperwork and books. Because a female mouse can have a new litter every few weeks, a couple of mice quickly becomes a cupboard full.
How the treatment works
We start by finding where they get in and where they nest, which is usually a gap behind the stove, around a geyser pipe or under a kitchen unit. Indoors we mainly use snap traps and enclosed traps placed along the walls, because mice run close to edges and are curious enough to investigate. Where baiting is needed, it goes inside tamper-resistant stations that children and pets cannot open, after a bait risk assessment. We then seal the entry points with steel wool, mesh and sealant, because mice can squeeze through a hole about the width of a pencil. A follow-up visit checks the traps and confirms the activity has stopped.
- Look for clues
We check droppings, nests and gnawing to work out where the mice are most active.
- Find the gaps
We check behind appliances, under units and around pipes for entry points.
- Set traps
Traps and, where suitable, sealed bait stations go along the mice's runs.
- Seal entry points
Small holes are blocked with steel wool, mesh and sealant so mice cannot get back in.
- Follow-up
We come back to check the traps, clear them and leave a report.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Pull the stove and fridge out once in a while and clean the crumbs and grease behind them.
- Seal the gaps where pipes and cables come through walls, especially under the sink.
- Do not leave pet food out overnight in the kitchen.
- Keep the garage tidy, since boxes on the floor make perfect mouse nests.
- Fit brush strips to the bottom of garage and outside doors.
How much will it cost?
The price depends on how many rooms are affected, how long the mice have been there and how many gaps need sealing. A single kitchen is quicker than a whole house with mice in the walls and the garage. Follow-up visits are usually included, and the quote is free.
Mice are one pest where DIY genuinely works if you are thorough: a handful of snap traps baited with peanut butter, set against the walls, will catch a lot of them. Where people go wrong is not sealing the gaps, so if you are still catching mice after two or three weeks, it is time to call us.
Frequently asked questions
Are ultrasonic repellers worth it?
In our experience they do not solve a mouse problem. Mice get used to the sound quickly.
Do mice come from the farms around Kraaifontein?
Yes, especially when fields are harvested or ploughed. Homes near open land benefit from boundary bait stations and sealed entry points.
Do you come out to Kraaifontein for mouse control?
Yes. Kraaifontein is part of our regular Northern Suburbs route, along with Brackenfell, Durbanville, Kuils River, Bellville. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
How do mice get into the house?
Through tiny gaps around pipes, under doors, through air vents and roof edges. A gap the width of a pencil is enough.
How quickly can you get to Kraaifontein?
We are based in Brackenfell, right next door, but our average turnaround is still around 48 hours depending on the season. For urgent problems, call our 24-hour emergency line.
What is the best bait for a mouse trap?
Peanut butter works better than cheese, and only a small dab is needed so the mouse has to work at it.
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