Constantia means big plots, old oaks, vineyards and horses, so pest control here is often as much about the garden and outbuildings as the house itself. Squirrels in the roof, rats around the stables and wasps in the hedges are everyday conversations in the valley.
Rodents around Constantia
Rats around feed rooms and stables, and grey squirrels chewing into roof spaces from the oaks, are what we see most. Mesh over roof gaps and feed kept in sealed bins do more than any bait station on its own.
Many homes are large, older properties on generous stands, some Cape Dutch in style with thatched roofs, others modern with big glass walls and pool decks. Staff cottages, garages, stables and pool houses all add extra buildings that need checking. Thatch and exposed beams give rodents and borer beetles places that are hard to reach once they're established. The newer security estates have neater gardens but still back straight onto greenbelts.
From the technician
Grey squirrels were brought to Cape Town in the late 1800s and have spread across the Southern Suburbs since then.
Signs to look for
- Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
Our process, step by step
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- 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.
- Check fascia boards and roof edges each year for chewed spots and repair them quickly.
- Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
- Do not feed squirrels in the garden, however cute they are.
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.
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
Can you stop squirrels getting into my roof in Constantia?
Yes, but the lasting fix is physical. We find where they are getting in, usually a fascia gap or loose ridge tile next to an oak branch, and advise on sealing it once the roof is empty; cutting branches back from the roof helps a lot.
Do you come out to Constantia for squirrel control?
Yes. Constantia is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Bergvliet, Tokai, Plumstead, Diep River. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Does a thatched roof in Constantia need special treatment for borer?
The grass itself is not what borers are after, but the poles and battens holding it up can be. We inspect the visible timber for fresh holes and dust and treat only if there is active infestation.
Will you hurt the squirrels?
No. We use one-way exclusion devices and live traps, not poison.
Are grey squirrels protected in Cape Town?
Grey squirrels are not an indigenous species. We still remove them humanely and do not use poison.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
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