St James is a narrow strip of grand old houses squeezed between the mountain and False Bay, best known for its colourful bathing boxes and tidal pool. With the mountain right behind and the sea in front, homes deal with damp, wind and wildlife all year.
St James: what drives rodents here
Roof rats come down from the mountain and nest in old roof spaces and retaining walls. Proofing old timber eaves and vents is key.
Many homes are large Edwardian and Victorian houses on steep plots, with timber floors, wooden verandas and big roof spaces. There are also flats and newer homes higher up the slope. Steep sites, terraced gardens and stone retaining walls give rodents and spiders lots of hiding places. Old timber and damp sea air create ideal conditions for fishmoths and wood borer.
The suburb sits at the foot of the mountain in Table Mountain National Park, with the Main Road and railway line running along the coast. Sea spray, damp winters and the South-Easter in summer all play a part. Wildlife from the mountain, including baboons and rodents, comes right down to the gardens.
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.
Something most people miss
Grey squirrels were brought to Cape Town in the late 1800s and have spread across the Southern Suburbs since then.
How we handle squirrel control in St James
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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Pick up acorns and fallen fruit regularly if you have big trees close to the house.
- Fit squirrel guards on bird feeders, or move them away from the house.
- 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.
- 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 St James for squirrel control?
Yes. St James is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Lakeside. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Why do I have so many fishmoths in my St James house?
Sea air and mountain damp keep old houses humid, and fishmoths love that. Drying out cupboards and a targeted treatment brings numbers down.
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.
Will you hurt the squirrels?
No. We use one-way exclusion devices and live traps, not poison.
Can you inspect my old St James home for wood borer before I sell?
Yes, we inspect floors, roof timbers and verandas and give you a written report. Many sales need a beetle certificate, so book early.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254