Ask a Capetonian about the Southern Suburbs and they will picture oak-lined avenues, the mountain looming over Newlands and the rain that rolls in off it in winter. Those same oaks, gardens and wet months are why squirrels, rats, ants and wood borer make up so much of our work between Rondebosch and Constantia.
Squirrel Control by suburb
We cover all 29 suburbs on our Southern Suburbs route. Each suburb page covers what we find there and what works for those streets and buildings.
- BergvlietSquirrel Control
- BishopscourtSquirrel Control
- ClaremontSquirrel Control
- ConstantiaSquirrel Control
- Diep RiverSquirrel Control
- Harfield VillageSquirrel Control
- HeathfieldSquirrel Control
- KenilworthSquirrel Control
- KenwynSquirrel Control
- KirstenhofSquirrel Control
- KreupelboschSquirrel Control
- LansdowneSquirrel Control
- MeadowridgeSquirrel Control
- MowbraySquirrel Control
- NdabeniSquirrel Control
- NewlandsSquirrel Control
- ObservatorySquirrel Control
- OtterySquirrel Control
- PinelandsSquirrel Control
- PlumsteadSquirrel Control
- RetreatSquirrel Control
- RondeboschSquirrel Control
- Rondebosch EastSquirrel Control
- RosebankSquirrel Control
- Salt RiverSquirrel Control
- SouthfieldSquirrel Control
- SteenbergSquirrel Control
- TokaiSquirrel Control
- WynbergSquirrel Control
Rodents around Southern Suburbs
Grey squirrels and roof rats travel along oak branches and power lines straight onto roofs, then chew through fascia boards. Under-floor voids in older homes give mice and rats a warm place to nest in winter.
The housing spans Victorian semis in Rondebosch and Claremont, big Edwardian and mid-century family homes in Newlands and Bishopscourt, student digs near UCT, blocks of flats around Wynberg and Claremont, and old farm-style homesteads and estates in Constantia. Many older homes have suspended timber floors, deep roof voids and outbuildings that rodents and squirrels quickly claim. Thatched roofs and gabled homesteads in Constantia bring their own timber and rodent issues.
This side of Table Mountain catches far more rain than the rest of the city, and Newlands is among the wettest suburbs in Cape Town. Kirstenbosch, Newlands Forest and the mountain slopes border the upper edge, while the Liesbeek River winds through Newlands and Rondebosch toward the Black River. Winter damp encourages fishmoths and borer, and the canopy of oaks and pines keeps grey squirrels well supplied.
Tell-tale signs
- Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
- 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.
From the technician
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.
Our process, step by step
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
- Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
- Do not feed squirrels in the garden, however cute they are.
- Trim tree branches so they are at least two metres away from the roof.
- Pick up acorns and fallen fruit regularly if you have big trees close to the house.
- 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.
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.
Questions we get asked in Southern Suburbs
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
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.
Will you hurt the squirrels?
No. We use one-way exclusion devices and live traps, not poison.
Do I need a beetle certificate to sell an old house in the Southern Suburbs?
In most sales, yes, it is a condition of the deed of sale. Older homes with timber floors and roof beams are inspected closely, so it is worth checking before you list.
Do you come out to Southern Suburbs for squirrel control?
Yes. Southern Suburbs is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Wynberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
How do I get grey squirrels out of my roof in the Southern Suburbs?
The first step is finding and sealing every entry point once the squirrels are out, usually along fascias near trees. We can inspect your roof and advise on proofing and safe removal.
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