Brackenfell is home turf for us, since our base is at Bracken Villa on De Waal Street. It is a growing suburb of family homes and newer estates, with open land, vineyards and smallholdings never far away, so field mice, ants and wasps come with the territory.
Rats in Brackenfell, our home suburb
Our base is in Brackenfell, so we know its rat problems well. Roof rats climb the trees in the older suburbs' big gardens and get into ceilings through gaps under the tiles of 1970s and 1980s brick homes. Lapas, Wendy houses and garages full of stored items give them more places to nest.
The Kuils River and the open land around the suburb act as corridors, and rats move in as the winter rain starts. We trap in the roof, put lockable bait stations along the outside and close the gaps at the roof line and around the outbuildings.
Which rat is in your Brackenfell home?
Brown rat
Rattus norvegicus- Norway rat
- Sewer rat
- Family Muridae
- Body
- Heavy and thickset
- Nose
- Blunt and rounded
- Ears
- Small, furry, close to head
- Tail
- Shorter than its body
- Weight
- 250 to 500 g
- Droppings
- Up to 2 cm, blunt ends
- Burrow holes along walls, under paving and sheds
- Greasy rub marks low down along skirting and walls
- Gnawed bins, compost heaps and pet food bags
- Coming up through drains and broken sewer pipes
Black rat
Rattus rattus- Roof rat
- Ship rat
- Family Muridae
- Body
- Slim and agile
- Nose
- Pointed
- Ears
- Large, thin, almost bare
- Tail
- Longer than its body
- Weight
- 150 to 250 g
- Droppings
- About 1.2 cm, pointed
- Scratching and running in the ceiling at night
- Droppings in the roof space, cupboards and on beams
- Chewed cables, insulation and ceiling boards
- Running along fences, power lines and tree branches
ActiveBusierPeak, as rats move indoors in the cold, wet winter
Signs to look for
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: Rats spread leptospirosis through their urine, and they can carry salmonella and other diseases onto food surfaces. They gnaw on electrical cables in roofs, which can start fires, and chew through water pipes and geyser fittings. Rats also bite, especially when cornered or when a small child or sleeping person is involved. A couple of rats can become dozens within a season because they breed fast.
Worth knowing
People often block the hole the rat used and trap it inside the roof. Always deal with the rats before you seal the last gap.
When a technician arrives for rats, the first thing he looks at is the outside of the building: tree branches, roof edges, drain pipes and any gap a rat could fit through.
How we handle rat control in Brackenfell
First we identify the rat and track its route, because a roof rat problem is solved at the roof line and a Norway rat problem at ground level and in the drains. In the roof and inside the house we prefer heavy-duty snap traps, so there is no smell from a rat dying in the ceiling. Outdoors we use lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations, positioned along runs and fixed so they cannot be moved, and we do a bait risk assessment where pets, children or owls are around. Then we proof: steel mesh over vents, sealing gaps around pipes and cables, and advice on trimming branches. Burrows are treated and collapsed after the colony is dealt with.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our rat control service works.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Fit drain covers and check that old drain pipes are not broken underground.
- Trim back trees and creepers at least a metre from the roof, because roof rats jump from them.
- Pick up fallen fruit, avocados and pet food every evening.
- Store feed and bird seed in metal bins with tight lids.
- Do not leave building rubble or wood piles against the house for months.
Pricing, honestly
Price depends on the size of the property, which rat species you have and how many entry points need proofing. A roof rat problem with lots of overhanging trees takes more proofing work than a single burrow in the garden. Follow-up visits are part of most rat jobs and are included in the free quote.
One rat in a garden shed can be caught with a decent snap trap and some patience. Rats in the roof are smart and cautious, and loose poison from the shop often ends with a smell in the ceiling and a sick dog, so I would call someone in once they are in the house.
Rat Control questions from Brackenfell
Is there a guarantee?
Yes, our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee.
How are rats getting into my roof?
Roof rats climb trees, walls and cables and squeeze in under roof tiles, fascia boards or through open eaves.
Do rats in Brackenfell come from the Kuils River?
Some do, using the river and open land as corridors. Most are living close to the house in outbuildings and trees, so we treat and seal there too.
How quickly can you get to a Brackenfell home?
Our base is in Brackenfell, and our average turnaround is about 48 hours, though it varies with the season. You can also send photos on WhatsApp so we can identify the pest first.
Do mice in Brackenfell come from the farms and vineyards nearby?
Many do, especially in autumn after harvest when food in the fields dries up. Sealing roof gaps and garage doors, plus perimeter baiting, keeps them out of the house.
Can you get rid of rats near a river or canal?
Yes, but properties near water usually need ongoing stations and good proofing, because new rats keep arriving.
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