Scarborough Squirrel Control

Scarborough is a small, quiet village on the Atlantic side of the peninsula, wedged between fynbos-covered mountain and a wild stretch of beach. Many homes stand empty for weeks at a time, and pests make the most of that.

Scarborough: what drives rodents here

Striped mice and house mice come in from the fynbos, and roof rats nest in quiet holiday homes. Checking traps and stations between visits stops a small problem becoming a big one.

Homes range from older wooden holiday cottages and timber-clad houses to modern architect-designed places on the slopes. Some have thatch or exposed timber, and many have large decks. Holiday homes that sit closed up for long periods let rodents, fishmoths and cockroaches settle in without anyone noticing. Wood and damp sea air together put timber at risk.

The village borders Table Mountain National Park, with fynbos, rocky slopes and the Schusters River lagoon nearby. It's exposed to Atlantic mist, salt spray and strong winds, and winters are wet and cold. Wildlife from the park, including baboons, is part of life here, and damp conditions suit fishmoths and wood beetles.

Mice and rats are the main issue in closed-up homes, followed by fishmoths and wood borer in damp timber. Ants and spiders are common in summer. Wasps nest on decks and under eaves.

What gives them away

1. Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
2. Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
3. Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
4. Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.

Worth knowing

Grey squirrels were brought to Cape Town in the late 1800s and have spread across the Southern Suburbs since then.

The worst mistake is sealing the hole while the squirrels are still inside. They will chew a new way out, often through the ceiling.

How we handle squirrel control in Scarborough

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.

1. Roof inspection

   We check the roof space and outside roof line to find nests and every entry point.

2. Exclusion or trapping

   One-way exclusion devices or live traps are fitted so the squirrels leave the roof.

3. Confirm it is empty

   We check that no squirrels or babies are left inside before anything is sealed.

4. Proofing

   Entry points are sealed with steel mesh and repairs, so they cannot chew back in.

5. Report

   You get a report with details of the work done and any trees to trim.

Keeping them out afterwards

• 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.
• Trim tree branches so they are at least two metres away from the roof.
• Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
• Check fascia boards and roof edges each year for chewed spots and repair them quickly.

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.

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.

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