Parklands grew fast from bare dune land into rows of townhouse complexes and family homes, so many pest issues here come from the sand and open veld that still surround parts of it. Ants, mice and windblown flies are typical.
Rats in Parklands complexes
Rats in Parklands mostly shelter in the shared refuse areas of townhouse complexes, where overflowing bins and bags left on the floor feed them. From there they move along boundary walls and into garages and roofs. Homes on the edge of the remaining open dune and veld land see them coming in from outside too.
We bait refuse areas and boundaries in lockable stations, trap inside and seal gaps around pipes, vents and garage doors. In complexes, working with the body corporate on the refuse area makes the biggest difference.
Which rat is in your Parklands 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
How to tell you have a problem
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.
Worth knowing
When a technician arrives for rats, the first thing he looks at is the outside of the building: tree branches, roof edges, drain pipes and any gap a rat could fit through.
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.
- 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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Store feed and bird seed in metal bins with tight lids.
- Trim back trees and creepers at least a metre from the roof, because roof rats jump from them.
- 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.
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.
Questions we get asked in Parklands
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.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes, our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee.
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.
Are rats dangerous to my children?
Rats can bite and spread disease through urine and droppings, so it is worth dealing with them quickly.
Where do rats in my Parklands complex come from?
Usually the shared refuse area, and sometimes the open land nearby. Treating the refuse area and sealing gaps at your unit works best.
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.
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