Kuils River sits on the eastern side of the northern suburbs, where the suburbs start giving way to the Bottelary Hills and wine country. The river the town is named after runs right through it, and that green strip of reeds and grass shapes a lot of what we see on call-outs here.
Rats along the Kuils River
The river that gives Kuils River its name is also where many of its rats live. Brown rats travel along the reed beds, banks and stormwater pipes, and homes that back onto the river or open ground see the most of them. From there they move into outside rooms, garages and Wendy houses used for storage, and then into the house.
The cover along back walls, like rubble, cut branches and garden refuse, works as a highway for them. We bait the boundary in lockable stations, trap in roofs and outbuildings, and help you clear and seal the routes they use. Removing that cover does as much as the bait.
Which rat is in your Kuils River 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
A note from the field
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.
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.
Tell-tale signs
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
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.
- 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.
Prevention that actually works
- Store feed and bird seed in metal bins with tight lids.
- Fit drain covers and check that old drain pipes are not broken underground.
- Keep compost in a closed bin and do not add meat or cooked food.
- Pick up fallen fruit, avocados and pet food every evening.
- Trim back trees and creepers at least a metre from the roof, because roof rats jump from them.
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.
Rat Control questions from Kuils River
Should I worry about rats if my Kuils River home backs onto the river?
Homes on the river see more rat activity, but bait stations along the boundary, a clear strip along the wall and sealed gaps keep most of them out of the house.
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 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 the rats in Kuils River come from the river itself?
Often, yes. The reeds and stormwater channels along the Kuils River give rats shelter and water, so homes closest to it tend to see them first, particularly after heavy winter rain floods their burrows.
Why do I get so many mice in winter here?
When the farmland and veld towards Bottelary gets cold and wet, field mice look for warm, dry spots and garages and roofs are ideal. Sealing gaps under doors and around pipes before May helps a lot.
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.
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