Walmer Estate is the colourful little suburb tucked between Zonnebloem and Upper Woodstock, with Devil's Peak looming over it. Families have lived here for generations, and the old homes and steep lanes have their own set of pest habits.
The local picture in Walmer Estate
Roof rats run along parapets and power lines between the closely built homes, and mice come in under doors in winter. Joint treatment along a street works best.
Small semi-detached and terraced houses, many painted in bright colours, line narrow streets on the slope. Plenty have been extended upward or backward over the years, and the joins between old and new building are where we find most gaps. Flat roofs and parapets are common, which pigeons love.
How to tell you have a problem
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
- Dug-up pot plants and bulbs, and nuts buried in garden beds.
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
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.
From the technician
Because we do not use poison for squirrels, there is no risk to children, pets or owls from the treatment.
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.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our squirrel control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- 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.
- 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.
- Fit squirrel guards on bird feeders, or move them away from the house.
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.
Questions we get asked in Walmer Estate
Are grey squirrels protected in Cape Town?
Grey squirrels are not an indigenous species. We still remove them humanely and do not use poison.
Can a community hall in Walmer Estate get a disinfection service?
Yes. We disinfect and sanitise halls, crèches and places of worship, and can work after hours or on weekends on request so it does not interfere with gatherings.
Do squirrels come back after removal?
They will try, which is why proper proofing with steel mesh is a key part of the job.
Do you come out to Walmer Estate for squirrel control?
Yes. Walmer Estate is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with University Estate, Zonnebloem, Upper Woodstock, Woodstock. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
How do I stop pigeons nesting on my flat roof in Walmer Estate?
Remove the nesting material first, then fit bird spikes or wire along the parapets. Netting works well for bigger flat roof areas.
Will you hurt the squirrels?
No. We use one-way exclusion devices and live traps, not poison.
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