Kraaifontein is our next-door neighbour, just up the road from our base in Brackenfell. It is a sprawling area with older suburbs in the middle, new estates on the edges and smallholdings beyond, so the pests run from cockroaches in flats to mice coming in off the farmland.
The local picture in Kraaifontein
Field mice and rats move from farmland and open veld into homes, especially after harvest and when the rain starts. Bait stations along boundaries help.
There are older family homes and semi-detached houses near the centre, newer townhouse complexes and security estates on the edges, and denser housing in areas like Wallacedene and Bloekombos. Smallholdings and farms in the Joostenberg Vlakte area add barns, stables and sheds. Each type of property brings its own mix of pests.
Rats and mice from open land and farms, Argentine ants and flies in summer are top of the list. German cockroaches are common in denser housing and shops. Wasps and fleas round it out.
Worth knowing
Because we do not use poison for squirrels, there is no risk to children, pets or owls from the treatment.
Grey squirrels were brought to Cape Town in the late 1800s and have spread across the Southern Suburbs since then.
How to tell you have a problem
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
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
- Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
- Fit squirrel guards on bird feeders, or move them away from the house.
- 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.
- Trim tree branches so they are at least two metres away from the roof.
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.
Questions we get asked in Kraaifontein
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.
How quickly can you get to Kraaifontein?
We are based in Brackenfell, right next door, but our average turnaround is still around 48 hours depending on the season. For urgent problems, call our 24-hour emergency line.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
Are grey squirrels protected in Cape Town?
Grey squirrels are not an indigenous species. We still remove them humanely and do not use poison.
Do mice come from the farms around Kraaifontein?
Yes, especially when fields are harvested or ploughed. Homes near open land benefit from boundary bait stations and sealed entry points.
Do you come out to Kraaifontein for squirrel control?
Yes. Kraaifontein is part of our regular Northern Suburbs route, along with Brackenfell, Durbanville, Kuils River, Bellville. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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