Khayelitsha is huge, and pest pressure changes from one section to the next. In formal brick areas the calls look like any other suburb (cockroaches, mice, fleas), while in the denser informal sections rats and flies are a daily struggle tied to refuse and stormwater.
Rats in Khayelitsha
Rats are the most serious pest problem in Khayelitsha. They burrow into the sand and under floors, move between homes along fences, walls and backyard structures, and feed on refuse that waits for collection. In the denser informal sections, zinc and timber structures are easy for them to get into and hard to seal, and blocked stormwater drains in winter flush them out of their burrows and into homes.
Treating one house on its own doesn't last when the neighbours still have rats. Street-wide baiting with tamper-resistant stations, placed where children and pets can't reach them, gives a much better result. We can quote for several homes together.
Which rat is in your Khayelitsha 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.
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.
From the technician
Tenants often find the rats, but the fix is usually structural, a broken vent or a gap under the roof. That is a landlord job, and a report from us helps sort it out.
How the treatment works
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.
Prevention that actually works
- 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.
- 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.
What affects the price
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Can you treat a whole street for rats in Khayelitsha?
Yes, and it is the most effective way. Rats move between homes, so treating several together with tamper-resistant bait stations gives longer-lasting results.
Is rat bait safe around children in Khayelitsha?
We use lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations fixed in place, so children and pets can't get to the bait. We also show you where they are and how to check them.
Are rats dangerous to my children?
Rats can bite and spread disease through urine and droppings, so it is worth dealing with them quickly.
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 you come out to Khayelitsha for pest control?
Yes, we cover all of Khayelitsha. Send us a photo on WhatsApp for identification and a free quote.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
