Pelican Park is a newer housing area near Zeekoevlei and the Strandfontein coast, with lots of young families. Water nearby means mosquitoes and midges, and new homes on sandy ground bring ants and mice.
Pelican Park: what drives rodents here
Mice come in from open ground into homes and backyard rooms, and rats follow refuse and stormwater channels. Sealing gaps under doors helps a lot.
Most homes are newer subsidy and bonded houses, built close together with small yards. Modern construction is fairly tight, but gaps around doors, pipes and roof edges still let in insects and mice. Many homes have added backyard rooms or extensions. Shared open spaces and parks sit between housing blocks.
Mosquitoes and midges from the vlei are a big seasonal issue. Ants and mice in new homes are common. Flies and fleas round out the usual calls.
From the technician
Cheese is a cartoon idea. Mice prefer seeds, grains and sweet, fatty foods, which is why peanut butter is such a good trap bait.
What gives them away
- A sharp, ammonia-like smell inside closed cupboards.
- Light scratching in the walls or under the kitchen units at night.
- Tiny footprints or tail marks in dust on top of cupboards or in the garage.
- Small droppings about the size of a grain of rice in drawers, cupboards and along skirtings.
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Do not leave pet food out overnight in the kitchen.
- Pull the stove and fridge out once in a while and clean the crumbs and grease behind them.
- Keep the garage tidy, since boxes on the floor make perfect mouse nests.
- 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.
What affects the price
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.
Mouse Control questions from Pelican Park
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.
Do you use poison in the kitchen?
We prefer traps in kitchens and food areas. If bait is needed, it is kept in sealed stations.
Do new homes in Pelican Park get mice?
Yes, mice come in from open ground through small gaps around doors and pipes. Sealing those gaps and keeping food stored well keeps them out.
Do you come out to Pelican Park for mouse control?
Yes. Pelican Park is part of our regular Cape Flats route, along with Strandfontein, Lotus River, Grassy Park, Lavender Hill. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
If I see one mouse, are there more?
Usually, yes. Mice live in family groups and are shy, so if you see one in daylight there are probably others.
Why are mosquitoes so bad in Pelican Park?
Because Zeekoevlei and the wetlands nearby provide year-round breeding water. Screening windows and clearing standing water around your home makes a real difference.
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