Squirrel Control for Milnerton homes and businesses

Milnerton wraps around the lagoon where the Diep River meets the sea, with Woodbridge Island, the golf course and the Rietvlei wetland all close by. That much water and reed bed shapes the pest picture here more than anything else.

The local picture in Milnerton

Rats live in the reeds along the Diep River and lagoon and also come from Montague Gardens' warehouses. Mice settle in complex roof spaces in winter.

You'll find older family homes on Woodbridge Island and around the lagoon, blocks of flats near the beach, and large townhouse complexes and estates further inland. Many complexes share roof spaces and walls, which helps rodents and cockroaches move between units. Montague Gardens' warehouses and industrial units are next door and bring their own rodent and stored product issues.

The Milnerton lagoon, the Diep River and Rietvlei form a large wetland system with reeds, mud flats and slow water. Summer evenings near the water bring midges and mosquitoes, while winter rain raises water levels. Strong South-Easter winds and sea spray affect homes near the beach.

Signs to look for

1. Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
2. Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
3. Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
4. Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
5. Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
6. Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.

Something most people miss

The worst mistake is sealing the hole while the squirrels are still inside. They will chew a new way out, often through the ceiling.

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.

How we handle squirrel control in Milnerton

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.

1. Roof inspection

   We check the roof space and outside roof line to find nests and every entry point.

2. Exclusion or trapping

   One-way exclusion devices or live traps are fitted so the squirrels leave the roof.

3. Confirm it is empty

   We check that no squirrels or babies are left inside before anything is sealed.

4. Proofing

   Entry points are sealed with steel mesh and repairs, so they cannot chew back in.

5. Report

   You get a report with details of the work done and any trees to trim.

Prevention that actually works

• 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.
• Do not feed squirrels in the garden, however cute they are.
• Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
• Fit squirrel guards on bird feeders, or move them away from the house.

How much will it cost?

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 Milnerton

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