Tamboerskloof climbs steeply up the slopes of Lion's Head and Signal Hill above Kloof Street. Old houses, tight streets and the mountain right behind them make it a suburb where rodents and timber pests are a fact of life.
Rats in Tamboerskloof: Lion's Head slopes and Kloof Street
Rats in Tamboerskloof come from two directions. Roof rats come down off the slopes of Lion's Head and Signal Hill, running along walls, trees and power lines into the ceilings of the old houses in the top streets. At the bottom of the suburb, brown rats live around the restaurants, bars and shops on Kloof Street, feeding from bins in the back lanes. Many older houses have suspended timber floors with a crawl space underneath, and rats use those as a highway between neighbouring homes.
We trap in roofs and under floors, bait outside in lockable stations, and seal roof gaps and broken air bricks. Restaurants on Kloof Street can book ongoing control with a pest log.
Which rat is in your Tamboerskloof 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
Something most people miss
Rats are neophobic, which means they avoid new things. A trap that has not been touched for a few days is not a failure; it often works after they get used to it.
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.
Signs to look for
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
How we handle rat control in Tamboerskloof
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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- 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.
- Pick up fallen fruit, avocados and pet food every evening.
- 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.
Pricing, honestly
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.
Questions we get asked in Tamboerskloof
Do the rats in Tamboerskloof come from Lion's Head?
Some do, especially in the top streets near the greenbelt, but plenty also move between restaurants, bins and old homes lower down. Sealing roof and floor gaps on your house is the key step either way.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes, our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee.
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.
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.
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.
Can rats get under my Tamboerskloof floor?
Yes. Older homes have crawl spaces under suspended floors that rats use. Meshing air bricks and treating the void stops them.
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