Squirrel Control: a Cape Town guide

Know what you are dealing with

The squirrel in Cape Town is the eastern grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, which is not indigenous and was brought out from England in the late 1800s. It thrives in the Southern Suburbs and other areas with big oaks and pine trees, such as around Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont and Constantia. Grey squirrels are mostly active during the day, unlike rats, and they build nests called dreys in trees and, unfortunately, in roof spaces. They are strong chewers and will enlarge a small gap under the roof edge or fascia boards to get in. There are no indigenous tree squirrels in the Cape Peninsula, so if you see a squirrel here it is almost certainly a grey squirrel.

Myths, mistakes and lesser-known facts

Because we do not use poison for squirrels, there is no risk to children, pets or owls from the treatment.

Landlords often get the call from tenants about noises in the ceiling. Proofing the roof is a one-time investment that saves repeated call-outs.

Grey squirrels were brought to Cape Town in the late 1800s and have spread across the Southern Suburbs since then.

Warning signs

1. Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
2. Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
3. Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
4. Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
5. Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
6. Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.

Squirrels in the roof chew cables, which is a fire risk, and they damage insulation and ceiling boards. Their urine and droppings can stain ceilings and cause smells. They also chew through irrigation pipes, damage fruit trees and dig up gardens. A squirrel that dies in the roof leaves an unpleasant smell for weeks.

Can you do it yourself?

You can trim the trees and fix obvious gaps yourself, but sealing a roof with squirrels still inside is a mistake that leads to trapped animals and more damage. Getting them out humanely and proofing the whole roof line properly is a job worth getting professional help for.

Seasonal pattern

Squirrels in Cape Town breed mainly in late winter and spring, and again in summer, and that is when they look for sheltered nesting places such as roofs. Autumn is also busy, as they gather acorns and nuts from the oak trees.

Prevention checklist

• Trim tree branches so they are at least two metres away from the roof.
• Check fascia boards and roof edges each year for chewed spots and repair them quickly.
• Do not feed squirrels in the garden, however cute they are.
• Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
• Pick up acorns and fallen fruit regularly if you have big trees close to the house.
• Fit squirrel guards on bird feeders, or move them away from the house.

What affects the price

The cost depends on how many entry points there are, how high the roof is and how much repair and proofing is needed. A single gap is quick to deal with, but an older roof with many chewed areas takes longer. Trapping and follow-up visits are included in the free quote.

Frequently asked questions

Areas we cover for squirrel control