Constantia means big plots, old oaks, vineyards and horses, so pest control here is often as much about the garden and outbuildings as the house itself. Squirrels in the roof, rats around the stables and wasps in the hedges are everyday conversations in the valley.
Rats around Constantia stables, coops and outbuildings
In Constantia the rats are usually living outside the main house first. Horse feed in the stables, chicken coops, compost heaps, fallen fruit and the acorns under the old oaks keep a steady population going, and staff cottages, pool houses and garages give them plenty of places to nest. From there they move into the house roof, often along creepers or overhanging branches.
On a big plot, one bait station by the back door does very little. We map the property, put lockable stations along the routes between the outbuildings and the house, trap in the roof and seal the gaps. Taking away the food, such as open feed sacks, makes the biggest long-term difference.
The valley climbs up to the Constantiaberg and the edge of Table Mountain National Park, with wine farms such as Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia on the slopes. It gets noticeably more winter rain than most of the city, so gardens stay lush and soil stays damp well into spring. Greenbelts and small streams thread through the suburb, and the oaks drop enough acorns to feed a healthy squirrel population.
Rodents lead the list, helped by horse feed, chicken coops, compost and all those outbuildings. Grey squirrels getting into roof spaces is a very Constantia problem.
Which rat is in your Constantia 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
Tell-tale signs
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Worth knowing
Loose rat bait is one of the most common causes of pet poisoning. Keep bait in locked stations, and keep your vet's number on the fridge anyway.
What happens when we come out
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.
- Do not leave building rubble or wood piles against the house for months.
- Keep compost in a closed bin and do not add meat or cooked food.
- 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.
How much will it cost?
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.
Questions we get asked in Constantia
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.
Why do rats keep coming back to my Constantia property?
Usually because there is food outside that keeps the population going, like horse or poultry feed, compost or fallen fruit. We treat the rats and help you close off those food sources so the problem doesn't rebuild.
Will poison make the rats smell in the ceiling?
It can, which is why we prefer traps in the roof and keep bait in outside stations.
Are rats dangerous to my children?
Rats can bite and spread disease through urine and droppings, so it is worth dealing with them quickly.
Can you stop squirrels getting into my roof in Constantia?
Yes, but the lasting fix is physical. We find where they are getting in, usually a fascia gap or loose ridge tile next to an oak branch, and advise on sealing it once the roof is empty; cutting branches back from the roof helps a lot.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes, our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee.
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