Wynberg is two suburbs in one: the busy Main Road and transport hub in lower Wynberg, and the leafy, older homes of upper Wynberg near Maynardville. Pest pressures differ a lot between the two, so we tailor our work to which side you are on.
The local picture in Wynberg
Rats are common around the Main Road shops, markets and taxi rank, while grey squirrels from the big trees can get into roofs in upper Wynberg.
Upper Wynberg has large Victorian and Edwardian homes and the quaint cottages of Chelsea Village, many with timber floors and old roof structures. Lower Wynberg is dominated by shops, flats, markets and the taxi rank. Older commercial buildings there have more gaps, drains and food outlets for pests to use.
Upper Wynberg is on higher ground with big trees and established gardens, while the lower area is flatter and more built up. Winter rains are heavy here, and old stormwater drains carry rodents and roaches. Maynardville Park and other green spaces support squirrels and birds.
In lower Wynberg, rats, German cockroaches and flies are the main issues around shops and food outlets. In upper Wynberg, rodents, squirrels and wood borer in older homes are common.
What gives them away
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: 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.
A note from the field
Because we do not use poison for squirrels, there is no risk to children, pets or owls from the treatment.
The worst mistake is sealing the hole while the squirrels are still inside. They will chew a new way out, often through the ceiling.
What happens when we come out
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.
- 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.
- Use metal mesh, not plastic, over roof vents and gaps.
- Trim tree branches so they are at least two metres away from the roof.
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.
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.
Squirrel Control questions from Wynberg
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.
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 you come out to Wynberg for squirrel control?
Yes. Wynberg is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Plumstead, Kenilworth, Constantia, Ottery. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Is it a squirrel or a rat in my Wynberg ceiling?
Squirrels are usually noisy in the daytime and rats at night. Send us a photo of any droppings on WhatsApp and we can help identify it before we visit.
Can squirrels damage my roof?
Yes. They chew fascia boards, roof edges and cables, and they nest in insulation.
Will you hurt the squirrels?
No. We use one-way exclusion devices and live traps, not poison.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
