Marina da Gama is built around a network of canals off Zandvlei, with houses that back right onto the water and little jetties at the end of the garden. Living on the water is lovely, but it also means midges, mosquitoes and rats are part of the conversation.
The local picture in Marina da Gama
Brown rats move along the canal edges and under decks and jetties. They can get into homes through gaps under doors or in the roof.
Most homes are free-standing houses and townhouses from the 1970s onwards, many with timber decks, boathouses and jetties on the canals. The decks and boathouses give rats and spiders plenty of hiding spots. Tightly spaced houses mean a rodent problem next door can quickly become yours.
Midges and mosquitoes are the main seasonal pests. Rats live along the canals and under decks. Spiders, fishmoths and ants are common inside homes near the water.
Signs to look for
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
Worth knowing
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.
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.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our squirrel control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
- Do not feed squirrels in the garden, however cute they are.
- 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.
- 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.
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 Marina da Gama
Do you come out to Marina da Gama for squirrel control?
Yes. Marina da Gama is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Muizenberg, Lakeside, Lavender Hill, Steenberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
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 you get rid of the midges in Marina da Gama?
Not completely, because they breed in Zandvlei itself, which we can't treat. We can reduce resting midges around your home and advise on lighting and screens to keep them out.
Are grey squirrels protected in Cape Town?
Grey squirrels are not an indigenous species. We still remove them humanely and do not use poison.
Are there rats under my deck by the canal?
Quite possibly. The space under decks and jetties is dark and sheltered, close to water, so rats like it. We can inspect, bait safely and seal off access.
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