Newlands sits on the wet side of Table Mountain under big oaks and pines, and that moisture drives a lot of what we see here. Squirrels in roofs, fishmoths in cupboards and borer in old timber are bread and butter for us in this suburb.
Rodents around Newlands
Grey squirrels nest in roof spaces under the oaks, chew wiring and make a racket at dawn. Rats come down from the forest edge and along the river into compost heaps and ceilings.
There is a real mix: large older homes on generous plots, Newlands Village cottages, newer cluster homes and apartment blocks closer to Main Road and the sports grounds. Many of the older houses have timber floors, wooden ceilings and roof spaces that stay cool and damp. Leafy gardens and big trees overhang roofs, giving squirrels and rats a direct route in.
Newlands is one of the wettest suburbs in Cape Town, with Newlands Forest and the Table Mountain National Park slopes right above it and the Liesbeek running through. Winter rain is heavy and long, and many properties stay shaded and damp for months. Mountain streams and forest edges bring wildlife close to gardens.
Grey squirrels and rats in roofs are the top complaint, especially in autumn and winter.
Tell-tale signs
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Worth knowing
Rodents need only a small gap to get in. A mouse fits through a hole about the size of a pencil, and young rats through not much more.
How the treatment works
Our rodent work follows a 6-step regime: we find the harbourage, look at food and water sources, proof entry points, do a bait risk assessment, set a tailored plan and leave you a report. Inside homes we lean on snap traps and sealed stations so there are no dying rodents in the walls. Outside and on commercial sites we use lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations placed and recorded so children, pets and wildlife cannot get to the bait. Proofing is where the long-term win is: steel mesh, door brushes and sealing gaps around pipes and cables. Commercial clients usually go onto a contract with scheduled checks.
- Harbourage
We find where the rodents are nesting, from roof voids to burrows and storerooms.
- Food and water
We point out the food, rubbish and water sources keeping them on site.
- Ingress proofing
Gaps, pipes, vents and doors are proofed so rodents cannot get back in.
- Bait risk assessment
We decide where baiting is safe and where traps are the better choice, with pets, children and wildlife in mind.
- Tailored plan
Traps and tamper-resistant stations are set out on a plan that suits your property.
- Report
You get a written report and, for businesses, a station map and follow-up schedule.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Keep storerooms tidy and stock raised off the floor so you can see what is going on.
- Cut back branches and creepers that touch the roof, because roof rats use them as ladders.
- Pick up fallen fruit and do not leave dog food bowls outside overnight.
- Seal gaps around pipes, cables and air bricks with steel mesh or cement, not foam alone.
- Store pet food, bird seed and chicken feed in sealed metal or thick plastic containers.
Pricing, honestly
The cost depends on the size of the property, how established the rodents are and how much proofing is needed. A house with a few mice in the kitchen is a smaller job than a warehouse or restaurant with rats in the ceiling and drains. Follow-up visits and ongoing contracts for businesses are built into the free quote.
Rodent activity indoors peaks in Cape Town's wet winters, from about May to August, when rain floods burrows and drives rats and mice into roofs and buildings looking for shelter. Harvest time on Boland farms also brings a spike as food sources change.
Questions we get asked in Newlands
Do you do rodent control for restaurants?
Yes. We set up a programme with station maps and reports, which is what health inspectors want to see.
How do I get squirrels out of my Newlands roof?
We find the entry points, make sure the squirrels are out, and then seal the gaps with mesh so they cannot return. Trimming nearby branches is part of keeping them out.
Will I have dead rodents in the roof?
We use traps in the roof where possible to avoid this. If baiting is needed, placement is planned to reduce the chance.
How long does rodent control take to work?
You usually see a clear drop in activity within one to two weeks. Proofing then stops new rodents moving in.
Is rodent bait safe around pets?
Bait is kept inside lockable, tamper-resistant stations that pets and children cannot open, and indoors we often use traps instead.
Do you come out to Newlands for rodent control?
Yes. Newlands is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Claremont, Rondebosch, Bishopscourt, Harfield Village. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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