Pinelands was laid out as South Africa's first garden city, and its tall trees, wide verges and old thatched cottages still define it. Those same trees and roofs bring squirrels, rats and thatch beetles to our list here.
The local picture in Pinelands
Grey squirrels nest in roofs and thatch, and roof rats use trees to reach ceilings. Sealing roof gaps and trimming branches helps prevent re-entry.
Many homes are original cottages from the 1920s and 1930s, some still with thatched roofs, along with later brick houses and townhouse complexes. Big gardens and overhanging trees give rodents and squirrels easy access to roofs. Older timber floors and roof structures are prone to borer. Outbuildings, garages and garden sheds are common hiding places.
Pinelands is full of mature pines, oaks and green belts, with the Black River and Raapenberg bird sanctuary on its western edge. Winter rain keeps gardens damp, and summers are warm with the South-Easter. Green spaces and water attract birds and insects.
Squirrels and rats in roofs are the most common calls, along with thatch and wood borer problems. Mosquitoes near the river and Egyptian geese in parks are regular issues. Fishmoths and ants appear in older homes.
A note from the field
Mice do not need to drink much water, because they get most of it from their food. That is why they can live happily in a dry pantry.
What gives them away
- Tiny footprints or tail marks in dust on top of cupboards or in the garage.
- Nibbled corners of cereal boxes, bread bags and pet food packets.
- Light scratching in the walls or under the kitchen units at night.
- Small droppings about the size of a grain of rice in drawers, cupboards and along skirtings.
- Shredded paper, fabric or insulation bundled into a nest in a hidden corner.
- 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.
What happens when we come out
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.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our mouse control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Seal the gaps where pipes and cables come through walls, especially under the sink.
- Keep the garage tidy, since boxes on the floor make perfect mouse nests.
- Fit brush strips to the bottom of garage and outside doors.
- 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.
Pricing, honestly
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 Pinelands
Do Pinelands thatched cottages get borer?
Yes, older thatch and timber often show borer activity. We inspect the thatch and roof timbers and advise on treatment.
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.
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.
Why are there squirrels in my Pinelands roof?
The tall trees give them easy access to roofs, and they nest in warm, dry spaces. We remove them and seal entry points.
Do you come out to Pinelands for mouse control?
Yes. Pinelands is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Thornton, Ndabeni, Langa, Mowbray. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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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