The Northern Suburbs are home turf for us, since our base is in Brackenfell. From Goodwood and Parow out to Durbanville and Kraaifontein, we see the full range of pests, from ceiling rats to summer ant invasions.
Squirrel Control by suburb
We cover all 16 suburbs on our Northern Suburbs route. Each suburb page covers what we find there and what works for those streets and buildings.
- BellvilleSquirrel Control
- BrackenfellSquirrel Control
- BrooklynSquirrel Control
- DurbanvilleSquirrel Control
- EppingSquirrel Control
- GoodwoodSquirrel Control
- KensingtonSquirrel Control
- KraaifonteinSquirrel Control
- Kuils RiverSquirrel Control
- LoevensteinSquirrel Control
- MaitlandSquirrel Control
- Monte VistaSquirrel Control
- PanoramaSquirrel Control
- ParowSquirrel Control
- PlattekloofSquirrel Control
- ThorntonSquirrel Control
Rodents around Northern Suburbs
Roof rats move into ceilings as the weather cools, and mice nest in garages and wendy houses. Estates bordering open veld or vineyards see more rodent pressure.
Housing runs from older homes and flats along Voortrekker Road to large family homes in Durbanville and Welgemoed, and big newer security estates further out. Townhouse complexes with shared walls and gardens are common. Commercial and industrial areas around Bellville, Parow and Kuils River add warehouses and food businesses. Each type comes with its own pest pattern, from shared wall cockroaches to estate rodents.
Inland from the coast, the Northern Suburbs get hotter, drier summers and cold, wet winters. The Tygerberg hills, the Durbanville wine farms and stretches of open veld edge many suburbs. Rivers like the Kuils River and various stormwater canals run through the area.
Rats and mice in ceilings top the list in winter, while ants, fleas and flies dominate summer. Cockroaches in flats and townhouses are a year-round issue. Wasps, scorpions and fishmoths round out the regular calls.
A note from the field
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.
Grey squirrels were brought to Cape Town in the late 1800s and have spread across the Southern Suburbs since then.
Tell-tale signs
- 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.
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
- Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
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.
- 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.
Prevention that actually works
- 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.
- 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.
- Do not feed squirrels in the garden, however cute they are.
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 Northern Suburbs
Why do ants get worse in the Northern Suburbs in summer?
The inland heat dries out gardens, so ant colonies come indoors looking for water and food. Gel baits on their trails and sealing entry points sort it out.
Do squirrels come back after removal?
They will try, which is why proper proofing with steel mesh is a key part of the job.
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 Northern Suburbs for squirrel control?
Yes. Northern Suburbs is part of our regular Northern Suburbs route, along with Bellville, Durbanville, Parow, Goodwood. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Are you close enough to respond quickly in the Northern Suburbs?
Yes, we are based in Brackenfell, and our average turnaround is about 48 hours depending on the season. For urgent advice there is a 24-hour emergency line.
Are grey squirrels protected in Cape Town?
Grey squirrels are not an indigenous species. We still remove them humanely and do not use poison.
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