Oranjezicht climbs right up to the edge of Table Mountain, so a lot of what comes into homes here walks in off the mountain. Rats, squirrels, wasps and the odd scorpion are all part of living this close to the national park.
Rodents in Oranjezicht: what we see
Roof rats travel along trees and walls from the mountain into roofs, and grey squirrels from the city parks nest in roof spaces. Sealing roof gaps is as important as baiting.
Grand Victorian and Edwardian houses with wooden floors, pressed ceilings and old roof timbers sit beside modern glass-fronted homes and small apartment blocks. Many of the older homes have cellars, servant's quarters and large gardens with retaining walls. Gaps in old stonework and roof flashings are where rodents tend to get in. Apartment blocks add shared bin areas and ducts.
The suburb backs onto Table Mountain National Park, with mountain streams, the Molteno reservoir area and De Waal Park nearby. Winter rain runs off the mountain and keeps properties damp, while the South-Easter blows down hard in summer. Trees and greenbelts link gardens directly to the mountain.
How to tell you have a problem
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
Squirrels in the roof chew cables, which is a fire risk, and they damage insulation and ceiling boards. Their urine and droppings can stain ceilings and cause smells. They also chew through irrigation pipes, damage fruit trees and dig up gardens. A squirrel that dies in the roof leaves an unpleasant smell for weeks.
A note from the field
Landlords often get the call from tenants about noises in the ceiling. Proofing the roof is a one-time investment that saves repeated call-outs.
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 Oranjezicht
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
- Pick up acorns and fallen fruit regularly if you have big trees close to the house.
- Fit squirrel guards on bird feeders, or move them away from the house.
- 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.
- Trim tree branches so they are at least two metres away from the roof.
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.
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.
Squirrel Control questions from Oranjezicht
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
Do Oranjezicht houses need wood borer checks?
Older homes with original timber often do, especially before a sale. We inspect roof timbers and floors and report any active borer.
Do squirrels come back after removal?
They will try, which is why proper proofing with steel mesh is a key part of the job.
Why do rats keep coming into my Oranjezicht roof?
Because your property is close to the mountain and greenbelts, which gives them easy access. Sealing gaps in roof flashings and cutting back trees near the roof keeps them out longer.
Do you come out to Oranjezicht for squirrel control?
Yes. Oranjezicht is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Gardens, Vredehoek, Tamboerskloof, Higgovale. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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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