Simon's Town is a historic naval town on False Bay, with steep streets climbing the mountain behind St George's Street. Old buildings, the sea air and the mountain on the doorstep make for a very particular set of pest problems.
Rats in Simon's Town: mountain and harbour
Simon's Town's rats come from two sides. Roof rats come down from the slopes of Table Mountain National Park behind the town, and rats come up from the harbour and the restaurants along St George's Street. Steep sites with retaining walls and rockeries give them plenty of hiding places close to the house, and old stone and brick buildings have gaps in the stonework.
Proofing old buildings needs care so heritage features aren't damaged. We trap in roofs, bait outside in lockable stations, and use removable or sympathetic materials to seal gaps.
Rats and mice from the mountain edge and harbour are the main issue.
Which rat is in your Simon's Town 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
What gives them away
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Worth knowing
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.
- Fit drain covers and check that old drain pipes are not broken underground.
- Store feed and bird seed in metal bins with tight lids.
- Keep compost in a closed bin and do not add meat or cooked food.
- 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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can you rat-proof a heritage building in Simon's Town without damaging it?
Yes. We use traps and stations that don't need fixing into historic surfaces where possible, and seal gaps with materials that suit the building.
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.
Do rats in Simon's Town come from the harbour or the mountain?
Both. Homes near the waterfront tend to get rats from the harbour, while houses higher up get them from the mountain slopes.
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.
Can you treat old heritage buildings in Simon's Town without damaging them?
Yes, we choose methods that don't harm old timber, plaster or stonework, and we focus on proofing gaps carefully. We'll talk you through the plan before starting.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes, our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee.
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