Clifton is a narrow strip of houses and bungalows clinging to the granite between Victoria Road and its four famous beaches. Access is mostly by long flights of stairs and pathways, which shapes how we work and how pests spread between properties packed onto the slope.
The local picture in Clifton
Roof rats live in the rocks and fynbos above the houses and climb into roofs and the voids below decks. Mice get into storerooms built into the slope.
Homes range from small wooden and stone bungalows near the sand to large multi-level houses and apartment blocks higher up. Many are built right into the rock with storerooms and voids underneath that stay damp and dark. Timber cladding, decks and old bungalows make borer a real concern, and holiday lets bring a steady flow of luggage and groceries.
Clifton is sheltered from the worst of the South-Easter by Lion's Head, which keeps it warmer and calmer than its neighbours. Salt spray, granite boulders and fynbos on the slopes above set the scene. Winter rain runs down the steep pathways and stairs, and still, hot summer days suit flies and ants.
Roof rats and mice in voids under houses and roofs are a common call. Ants and cockroaches follow food in holiday homes, and wood borer is a serious matter for timber bungalows. Gulls and pigeons are an ongoing irritation on decks and roofs.
How to tell you have a problem
- Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
Something most people miss
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.
Many people think squirrels are harmless, but they chew through cables and can cause real damage in a roof.
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.
- 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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Do not feed squirrels in the garden, however cute they are.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do you come out to Clifton for squirrel control?
Yes. Clifton is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Atlantic Seaboard, Sea Point. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Will you hurt the squirrels?
No. We use one-way exclusion devices and live traps, not poison.
Do squirrels come back after removal?
They will try, which is why proper proofing with steel mesh is a key part of the job.
How do you get equipment down to Clifton homes with only stair access?
We carry what we need by hand and plan the visit around the stairs and pathways. Let us know the access route when you book so we can bring the right kit.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
Is wood borer a big issue for Clifton bungalows?
It can be, because many bungalows are built from timber that stays damp from sea air. A yearly inspection catches beetle activity early and keeps the structure sound.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254