Mouse Control in Lakeside

Lakeside is squeezed between the mountain and Zandvlei, with Boyes Drive above and the railway line and Main Road running through the middle. Having both a mountain slope and a big vlei on your doorstep means you get pests from two very different directions.

The local picture in Lakeside

Rats move along the railway line and the reeds around Zandvlei, and they'll happily climb into a roof via a tree. Squirrels from the bigger gardens on the slope also get into ceilings now and then.

Homes range from older cottages and family houses on the slopes to townhouses and small complexes nearer the vlei. A lot of the older houses have suspended timber floors and big trees in the garden, which gives rodents and borer something to work with. Garden flats and outside rooms are common and are usually the first place a pest problem gets noticed.

Worth knowing

Cheese is a cartoon idea. Mice prefer seeds, grains and sweet, fatty foods, which is why peanut butter is such a good trap bait.

For homes with toddlers and pets, traps can go inside lockable boxes or behind appliances where little hands cannot reach.

Tell-tale signs

1. A sharp, ammonia-like smell inside closed cupboards.
2. Shredded paper, fabric or insulation bundled into a nest in a hidden corner.
3. Light scratching in the walls or under the kitchen units at night.
4. Small droppings about the size of a grain of rice in drawers, cupboards and along skirtings.
5. Nibbled corners of cereal boxes, bread bags and pet food packets.
6. Tiny footprints or tail marks in dust on top of cupboards or in the garage.

How we handle mouse control in Lakeside

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.

1. Look for clues

   We check droppings, nests and gnawing to work out where the mice are most active.

2. Find the gaps

   We check behind appliances, under units and around pipes for entry points.

3. Set traps

   Traps and, where suitable, sealed bait stations go along the mice's runs.

4. Seal entry points

   Small holes are blocked with steel wool, mesh and sealant so mice cannot get back in.

5. Follow-up

   We come back to check the traps, clear them and leave a report.

Prevention that actually works

• Pull the stove and fridge out once in a while and clean the crumbs and grease behind them.
• Move cereal, pasta, rice and pet food into hard plastic or glass containers with good lids.
• Seal the gaps where pipes and cables come through walls, especially under the sink.
• Do not leave pet food out overnight in the kitchen.
• 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 move indoors when Cape Town's winter rains and colder nights start, usually from late April, and the numbers stay high until spring. In the Boland, harvest time and ploughing can push field mice towards farm buildings too.

Questions we get asked in Lakeside

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