Panorama is a hillside suburb with big homes, sloping gardens and views across to Table Mountain. The homes are mostly well kept, so problems here tend to be about access points: roof gaps, solar panels and garden edges.
Rodents around Panorama
Roof rats get into ceilings through roof joins and gaps under solar panels. Mice nest in garages and storerooms.
Most homes are large freestanding houses built from the seventies onward, many with double storeys, tiled roofs and big garages. Solar panels and roof additions create gaps that pigeons and rats use. Retaining walls and terraced gardens provide hiding places for rodents and insects. Some homes border open land on the hills.
The suburb sits on the slopes of the Tygerberg hills, where summers are hot and dry and winters cold and wet. The wind can be strong on exposed ridges. Open veld and nature areas nearby bring wildlife and insects close to homes.
Rats in roofs, ants in summer and pigeons under solar panels are the most frequent calls. Wasps, fleas and fishmoths also come up regularly. Scorpions occasionally appear in homes near the veld.
What gives them away
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
Worth knowing
Because we do not use poison for squirrels, there is no risk to children, pets or owls from the treatment.
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
- 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.
- Fit squirrel guards on bird feeders, or move them away from the house.
- Trim tree branches so they are at least two metres away from the roof.
Pricing, honestly
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 Panorama
Why do rats get into Panorama roofs if the house is well kept?
Even small gaps at roof joins, solar panel fittings or vents are enough. We inspect the roof line and seal the entry points as part of the treatment.
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 squirrels come back after removal?
They will try, which is why proper proofing with steel mesh is a key part of the job.
Do you come out to Panorama for squirrel control?
Yes. Panorama is part of our regular Northern Suburbs route, along with Plattekloof, Parow, Monte Vista, Bellville. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
How do I stop pigeons nesting under my solar panels in Panorama?
Fit a mesh skirt around the panel edges after clearing out any nests. It is the most reliable fix and does not damage the panels.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254