Kraaifontein is our next-door neighbour, just up the road from our base in Brackenfell. It is a sprawling area with older suburbs in the middle, new estates on the edges and smallholdings beyond, so the pests run from cockroaches in flats to mice coming in off the farmland.
Rats in Kraaifontein
Kraaifontein is our neighbour, just up the road from our Brackenfell base, and its rat problems change from one part of town to the next. In the older suburbs near the centre, roof rats get into ceilings through gaps at the eaves. In the denser housing of Wallacedene and Bloekombos, brown rats burrow along walls and move between homes. Out on the Joostenberg Vlakte smallholdings, barns, stables and feed sheds support big populations.
We set lockable bait stations along boundaries, trap in roofs and seal the gaps. On smallholdings we treat the routes between the outbuildings and the house.
Rats and mice from open land and farms, Argentine ants and flies in summer are top of the list.
Which rat is in your Kraaifontein 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
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.
Rats need water daily. Dripping taps, leaking irrigation and pet bowls left outside all help them survive on your property.
What gives them away
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
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.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our rat control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Keep compost in a closed bin and do not add meat or cooked food.
- 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.
- Pick up fallen fruit, avocados and pet food every evening.
- Store feed and bird seed in metal bins with tight lids.
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.
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.
Rat Control questions from Kraaifontein
Do mice come from the farms around Kraaifontein?
Yes, especially when fields are harvested or ploughed. Homes near open land benefit from boundary bait stations and sealed entry points.
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.
How quickly can you get to Kraaifontein?
We are based in Brackenfell, right next door, but our average turnaround is still around 48 hours depending on the season. For urgent problems, call our 24-hour emergency line.
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.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes, our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee.
Do you treat rats on smallholdings around Kraaifontein?
Yes. We place lockable bait stations around barns, stables and feed rooms, and do a bait risk assessment for pets, livestock and owls.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
