Wynberg is two suburbs in one: the busy Main Road and transport hub in lower Wynberg, and the leafy, older homes of upper Wynberg near Maynardville. Pest pressures differ a lot between the two, so we tailor our work to which side you are on.
Rats in Wynberg: Main Road and the upper streets
Rats in Wynberg depend on which side you're on. In lower Wynberg, brown rats live around the shops, markets and the taxi rank on Main Road, feeding from bins and food stalls and sheltering in old drains and gaps in commercial buildings. In upper Wynberg near Maynardville and Chelsea Village, roof rats move along the big trees and power lines into the roof voids of Victorian and Edwardian homes.
For shops and food outlets, we set up regular bait station programmes with a pest log. At home we trap in the roof, bait outside in lockable stations and seal gaps at the eaves and around chimneys.
Upper Wynberg is on higher ground with big trees and established gardens, while the lower area is flatter and more built up. Winter rains are heavy here, and old stormwater drains carry rodents and roaches. Maynardville Park and other green spaces support squirrels and birds.
Which rat is in your Wynberg 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
Tell-tale signs
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.
From the technician
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.
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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Do not leave building rubble or wood piles against the house for months.
- Trim back trees and creepers at least a metre from the roof, because roof rats jump from them.
- Pick up fallen fruit, avocados and pet food every evening.
- Fit drain covers and check that old drain pipes are not broken underground.
- Store feed and bird seed in metal bins with tight lids.
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.
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 Wynberg
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.
Are rats dangerous to my children?
Rats can bite and spread disease through urine and droppings, so it is worth dealing with them quickly.
Is it a squirrel or a rat in my Wynberg ceiling?
Squirrels are usually noisy in the daytime and rats at night. Send us a photo of any droppings on WhatsApp and we can help identify it before we visit.
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.
Is there a guarantee?
Yes, our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee.
Can you service my Wynberg shop on Main Road for rats?
Yes. We set up regular visits with bait stations, a pest log and reports you can show inspectors.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
