Mouse Control for Retreat homes and businesses

Retreat is a busy, close-knit area where homes sit tight together and the main roads are lined with shops and taxis. Because people live close to each other, a pest problem in one yard usually becomes everybody's problem within a few weeks.

Rodents in Retreat: what we see

Brown rats burrow into the sandy soil under walls and along drains, and they use refuse piles and illegal dumping spots as food sources. Baiting works best when a whole block does it together.

Housing ranges from older freestanding homes and semi-detached council houses to flats and backyard structures. Shared walls and closely spaced roofs let rodents and cockroaches move between units easily. Backyard rooms built from board or zinc have more gaps than brick, and they need a different approach to proofing. The shops and food outlets on Main Road and Prince George Drive add commercial pressure.

Retreat lies on the edge of the Cape Flats sand, near Princess Vlei and the wetland areas toward Zeekoevlei. The water table is fairly high and some streets hold water after heavy winter rain. Standing water and vlei edges mean mosquitoes, and the sandy soil is easy for rats to burrow into.

Something most people miss

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

1. Nibbled corners of cereal boxes, bread bags and pet food packets.
2. A sharp, ammonia-like smell inside closed cupboards.
3. Shredded paper, fabric or insulation bundled into a nest in a hidden corner.
4. Small droppings about the size of a grain of rice in drawers, cupboards and along skirtings.

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.

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.

Keeping them out afterwards

• Do not leave pet food out overnight in the kitchen.
• 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.
• Fit brush strips to the bottom of garage and outside doors.
• Seal the gaps where pipes and cables come through walls, especially under the sink.

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.

Frequently asked questions

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