The Helderberg basin runs from the mountain down to False Bay, taking in Somerset West, Strand, Gordon's Bay and the farm land in between. It is a big, varied patch, so the pests change a lot depending on whether you are on a vineyard edge, in a security estate or in a beachfront flat.
Rat Control by suburb
We cover all 5 suburbs on our Helderberg route. Each suburb page covers what we find there and what works for those streets and buildings.
City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard 26 areas
Southern Suburbs 29 areas
South Peninsula 17 areas
Northern Suburbs 16 areas
Blaauwberg & West Coast 10 areas
Cape Flats 24 areas
Helderberg 5 areas
Rats across the Helderberg
Across the Helderberg, rat problems change with the setting. In Somerset West's estates, compost heaps, bird feeders and fruit trees keep roof rats well fed, and they get into roofs from trees and creepers. Along the Strand beachfront, rats live in the refuse areas of flats and restaurants. Out towards Firgrove and the farms, sheds, stables and feed rooms support big populations.
The Lourens River and the stormwater channels act as corridors between them. We bait outside in lockable stations, trap in roofs and seal entry points, and on farms and smallholdings we map the property and treat the routes between outbuildings and the house.
The Helderberg mountain and the Hottentots-Holland range catch a lot of winter rain, and the Lourens River runs down to the sea through Somerset West. Vineyards and orchards surround the town, and the South-Easter howls across False Bay in summer.
Which rat is in your Helderberg 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
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.
Tell-tale signs
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.
Our process, step by step
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.
- Identify the rat
We look at droppings, tracks and entry points to tell a roof rat from a Norway rat.
- Find the runs
We trace the routes from nest to food, inside and outside the property.
- Traps and stations
Snap traps go inside and locked bait stations outside, placed on the actual runs.
- Proofing
Gaps, vents and roof entry points are closed with steel mesh and cement.
- Follow-up check
We return to check traps and stations, adjust the plan and leave a report.
Keeping them out afterwards
- 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.
- 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.
- Store feed and bird seed in metal bins with tight lids.
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.
Rat calls peak in Cape Town's rainy winter months, when burrows flood and rats head for dry roof spaces. Roof rats are busy again in late summer and autumn when fruit trees are loaded.
Questions we get asked in Helderberg
Do you treat rats on farms and smallholdings in the Helderberg?
Yes. We map the property, place lockable bait stations along the routes between outbuildings and the house, and do a bait risk assessment for pets, livestock and owls.
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.
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.
How do I know if it is rats or mice?
Rat droppings are much larger, roughly raisin-sized, and rats are noisier. Send a photo of the droppings on WhatsApp and we will tell you.
Do you cover farms and smallholdings around Somerset West?
Yes, we cover the whole Helderberg, including farms, smallholdings and estates. Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we can give you a free quote.
Why do we get more mice in the Helderberg in autumn?
When the vineyards and fields are harvested and the rain starts, field mice lose food and cover and move towards houses. A pre-winter check of door seals and roof gaps helps a lot.
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