Bishopscourt is a very green suburb of large homes, ambassadors' residences and old trees right beside Kirstenbosch. Pest work here is often about big properties with outbuildings, staff quarters, pools and heavy garden growth, rather than anything to do with density.
The local picture in Bishopscourt
Roof rats and squirrels use trees and creepers to get into roofs, and mice take over garages and storerooms. The forest edge means a steady supply from outside.
Homes are large, many on double plots, with thatched lapas, timber decks, wine cellars and staff cottages. All that space means plenty of ceilings, outbuildings and garages for rodents to hide in. Thatch and exposed timber also bring timber pest concerns.
Bishopscourt sits on the slopes below Table Mountain, with Kirstenbosch and the national park right next door. The Liesbeek River starts nearby, and winter rain keeps everything wet and lush. Big oaks, pines and fruit trees feed rodents and squirrels.
Something most people miss
Because we do not use poison for squirrels, there is no risk to children, pets or owls from the treatment.
When a technician inspects for squirrels, the first thing he looks at is the trees around the house, because the branches show where the squirrels are jumping onto the roof.
How to tell you have a problem
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
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.
How the treatment works
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- 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.
- 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.
Pricing, honestly
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.
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.
Questions we get asked in Bishopscourt
Should I worry about borer in my Bishopscourt thatch lapa?
It is worth checking, because thatch and timber in shady, damp spots can attract wood-boring beetles. A yearly inspection catches problems early and keeps the structure sound.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
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.
Do the trees near Kirstenbosch bring squirrels into Bishopscourt roofs?
Yes, grey squirrels and roof rats use the tall trees as highways onto roofs. We trim access routes, seal gaps and treat roofs where needed.
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 Bishopscourt for squirrel control?
Yes. Bishopscourt is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Newlands, Claremont, Constantia, Kenilworth. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254