What we deal 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.
Signs to look for
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: 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 we treat it
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.
- Roof inspection
We check the roof space and outside roof line to find nests and every entry point.
- Exclusion or trapping
One-way exclusion devices or live traps are fitted so the squirrels leave the roof.
- Confirm it is empty
We check that no squirrels or babies are left inside before anything is sealed.
- Proofing
Entry points are sealed with steel mesh and repairs, so they cannot chew back in.
- Report
You get a report with details of the work done and any trees to trim.
Things most people don't know
Many people think squirrels are harmless, but they chew through cables and can cause real damage in a roof.
The worst mistake is sealing the hole while the squirrels are still inside. They will chew a new way out, often through the ceiling.
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.
When it peaks in Cape Town
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.
DIY or call a professional?
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.
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.
Preventing it coming back
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
Are grey squirrels protected in Cape Town?
Grey squirrels are not an indigenous species. We still remove them humanely and do not use poison.
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.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
Will you hurt the squirrels?
No. We use one-way exclusion devices and live traps, not poison.
What if there are babies in the roof?
We check for young before sealing, because sealing them in causes suffering, smells and more damage.
Do squirrels come back after removal?
They will try, which is why proper proofing with steel mesh is a key part of the job.
Squirrel Control by area
We cover all of these suburbs from our base in Brackenfell. Pick yours for local advice.
