Woodstock runs from the railway line and the old industrial blocks along Albert Road up to the cottages above Victoria Road. It is part creative hub, part working neighbourhood, and its mix of old buildings, food businesses and busy streets keeps rodents and cockroaches well fed.
Woodstock: what drives rodents here
Rats live along the railway reserve and in the old drainage system, and they move into restaurants, warehouses and homes. A regular bait station programme is essential for food businesses here.
Converted warehouses, studios, cafés and showrooms sit next to Victorian terraced houses and newer apartment developments. Older industrial buildings have deep basements, ducts and loading areas where rats and roaches settle. Restaurants and food production spaces add constant attraction for pests.
Rats are the number one issue, especially near the railway, food businesses and old drains. German and American cockroaches are close behind. Pigeons roost on old warehouse roofs, and flies build up near restaurants and bins.
What gives them away
- Chewed fascia boards, barge boards or roof edges with fresh wood exposed.
- Squirrels seen jumping from a tree onto the roof and disappearing under the tiles.
- Scratching and running in the ceiling in the early morning and late afternoon, rather than at night.
- Shredded insulation, leaves and twigs found in the roof space.
- Chewed electrical cables or damaged ceiling boards.
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
When a technician inspects for squirrels, the first thing he looks at is the trees around the house, because the branches show where the squirrels are jumping onto the roof.
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.
- 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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Trim tree branches so they are at least two metres away from the roof.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Can you service a Woodstock restaurant after hours?
Yes, after-hours and weekend visits are available on request, so treatments do not disrupt service. You also get a post-treatment report for your records.
Do the rats in Woodstock come from the railway line?
The railway reserve and the old drains are major sources, along with food businesses and bins. A bait station programme around your building's perimeter keeps them in check.
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 Woodstock for squirrel control?
Yes. Woodstock is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Upper Woodstock, Salt River, Observatory, Zonnebloem. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Will you hurt the squirrels?
No. We use one-way exclusion devices and live traps, not poison.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254