Lotus River takes its name from the canal that runs through it towards Zeekoevlei, and that waterway is a big part of the pest picture here. It's a busy residential area with family homes, backyard rooms and small businesses side by side.
The local picture in Lotus River
Brown rats live in the canal banks and reeds and spread into backyards, especially after rain floods their burrows. Mice nest in Wendy houses and storerooms.
Most homes are free-standing or semi-detached brick houses on small stands, many with a Wendy house or extra room in the yard. Backyard structures and storerooms are often where rodents nest first. Small shops and home businesses along the main roads keep food on the premises, which draws cockroaches and mice.
The Lotus River canal and the nearby Zeekoevlei hold water for much of the year, with reeds along the banks. In heavy winter rain the low-lying streets can flood, and the high water table on the Cape Flats sand keeps yards damp. Summer brings the South-Easter and warm, still evenings near the water.
Rats along the canal are the most common problem, followed by German cockroaches in kitchens. Mosquitoes and midges breed in the reeds and slow water. Fleas and ants are regular summer calls.
Something most people miss
Many people think squirrels are harmless, but they chew through cables and can cause real damage in a roof.
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.
Signs to look for
- 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.
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
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.
Prevention that actually works
- 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.
- Fit squirrel guards on bird feeders, or move them away from the house.
- 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.
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
Are grey squirrels protected in Cape Town?
Grey squirrels are not an indigenous species. We still remove them humanely and do not use poison.
Why are the mosquitoes so bad near Zeekoevlei?
Still water and reed beds are ideal breeding spots, and Zeekoevlei and the canal have plenty of both. Clearing standing water at home and treating shady resting spots in your garden helps reduce bites.
What if there are babies in the roof?
We check for young before sealing, because sealing them in causes suffering, smells and more damage.
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 you come out to Lotus River for squirrel control?
Yes. Lotus River is part of our regular Cape Flats route, along with Grassy Park, Ottery, Pelican Park, Philippi. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Are the rats in Lotus River coming from the canal?
Many of them are. The reeds and banks along the canal shelter rats, and they spread into nearby yards, especially after heavy rain fills their burrows.
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