Parklands grew fast from bare dune land into rows of townhouse complexes and family homes, so many pest issues here come from the sand and open veld that still surround parts of it. Ants, mice and windblown flies are typical.
The local picture in Parklands
Mice come in from open veld into garages and kitchens, and rats find shelter in complex refuse areas. Keeping garage doors closed and sealing gaps keeps most out.
Most homes are newer brick houses and townhouses in complexes with shared walls and gardens. Light roofs and modern building methods keep things tidy, but gaps around pipes, vents and garage doors let mice and insects in. Complexes share refuse areas, which can attract rodents. Some estates have ponds and open spaces with water features.
Parklands is built on sandy, windy coastal ground near Big Bay and Table View, with open dune and veld land still at the edges. The South-Easter blows hard in summer, and winter brings cold fronts and rain. Ponds and wetlands in estates and parks hold water year-round.
Ants and mice are the most common calls, with fleas in summer. Mosquitoes breed around ponds and water features. Egyptian geese and pigeons cause mess in estates.
Worth knowing
The worst mistake is sealing the hole while the squirrels are still inside. They will chew a new way out, often through the ceiling.
What gives them away
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
- Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
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.
What happens when we come out
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
- 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.
- Do not feed squirrels in the garden, however cute they are.
- Pick up acorns and fallen fruit regularly if you have big trees close to the house.
- Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do you come out to Parklands for squirrel control?
Yes. Parklands is part of our regular Blaauwberg & West Coast route, along with Table View, Bloubergstrand, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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 deal with Egyptian geese in a Parklands estate?
We can advise on deterrents and bird proofing for buildings and shared areas, focusing on keeping them away from homes rather than harming them.
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 are there so many ants in Parklands homes?
The sandy ground makes nesting easy, and summer heat sends them indoors for water. Baiting their trails and treating entry points brings them under control.
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