Bergvliet is a quiet, leafy family suburb with big gardens, oak and pine trees and greenbelts running along its streams. Pest calls here lean towards garden-related problems coming indoors, such as rats, ants, wasps and the odd bird problem.
The local picture in Bergvliet
Roof rats use tree branches to get into ceilings, and grey squirrels sometimes do too. Mice move into roofs and garages in winter.
Most homes are freestanding houses from the 1950s to 1970s with tiled roofs, wooden floors and large gardens. Over time, extensions and outbuildings create roof gaps that let in rodents. Wendy houses, sheds and compost heaps give rats and mice cosy shelter.
Roof rats and mice in ceilings are the most common call. Ants trail in from gardens, and wasps nest in roofs and hedges. Mole rats in lawns and Egyptian geese on sports fields are frequent annoyances.
Tell-tale signs
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
- Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
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.
A note from the field
Grey squirrels were brought to Cape Town in the late 1800s and have spread across the Southern Suburbs since then.
What happens when we come out
We do not use poison for squirrels. Our approach is exclusion: we find every entry point and fit one-way exclusion devices so the squirrels can get out but not back in. Where it makes sense, live cage traps are used to remove squirrels from the roof. Once the roof is empty, we close the gaps with steel mesh and repair chewed areas so they cannot get back in. We also advise on trimming branches that give squirrels easy access to the roof.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our squirrel control service works.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Fit squirrel guards on bird feeders, or move them away from the house.
- Check fascia boards and roof edges each year for chewed spots and repair them quickly.
- Trim tree branches so they are at least two metres away from the roof.
- Pick up acorns and fallen fruit regularly if you have big trees close to the house.
- Do not feed squirrels in the garden, however cute they are.
How much will it cost?
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do the oak trees in Bergvliet attract rats and squirrels?
They do, since acorns and seeds are food and the branches give easy access to roofs. Trimming branches and sealing roof gaps keeps them out of your ceiling.
Do squirrels come back after removal?
They will try, which is why proper proofing with steel mesh is a key part of the job.
Do you come out to Bergvliet for squirrel control?
Yes. Bergvliet is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Meadowridge, Diep River, Tokai, Kirstenhof. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
Can you deal with Egyptian geese on my Bergvliet lawn?
We focus on making the garden less attractive to them, with deterrents around the pool, netting where practical and removing easy food like spilt pet food. The aim is to move them on, not to harm them.
How do I know it is squirrels and not rats?
Squirrels are active during the day, especially early morning, while rats are mostly active at night.
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