Rondebosch is old Cape Town: oak trees, Victorian houses, big schools and the UCT campus spilling down the slope toward Main Road. Between the students, the historic buildings and the squirrels, there's rarely a quiet week for pest work here.
Rodents around Rondebosch
Grey squirrels living in the oaks get into ceilings through gaps in old fascia boards, and rats follow the Liesbeek and stormwater lines. Proofing the roof line is as important as trapping.
There's a real mix. Victorian and Edwardian homes with timber floors and pressed-ceiling roofs sit next to student digs, blocks of flats and large school and university buildings. Old houses split into rental rooms mean lots of people sharing kitchens, which is where cockroaches thrive. High ceilings and wide roof voids give squirrels and rats plenty of room.
A note from the field
Because we do not use poison for squirrels, there is no risk to children, pets or owls from the treatment.
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.
How to tell you have a problem
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
- Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
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.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our squirrel control service works.
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.
- 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.
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.
Squirrel Control questions from Rondebosch
Why are there so many squirrels in Rondebosch ceilings?
The suburb's old oaks are a huge food source, and old roofs have gaps under the eaves that squirrels chew wider. Once they're out, the gaps need to be closed or new ones move in.
Can you treat a student house in Rondebosch during the holidays?
Yes, holidays are the best time because rooms are empty and can be treated properly. Weekend and after-hours visits can also be arranged on request.
Are grey squirrels protected in Cape Town?
Grey squirrels are not an indigenous species. We still remove them humanely and do not use poison.
Do you come out to Rondebosch for squirrel control?
Yes. Rondebosch is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Newlands, Rosebank, Claremont, Rondebosch East. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
What if there are babies in the roof?
We check for young before sealing, because sealing them in causes suffering, smells and more damage.
Do squirrels come back after removal?
They will try, which is why proper proofing with steel mesh is a key part of the job.
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