Fresnaye climbs the slopes above Sea Point toward Lion's Head, all steep streets, big houses and apartment blocks with sea views. Most calls here are about rats in roofs, ants in kitchens and pigeons on balconies.
Fresnaye: what drives timber pests here
Older homes with timber floors and roof trusses can carry borer, which may show up in a beetle certificate inspection on sale.
Homes range from large modern houses with flat roofs, pools and glass to older double-storey homes and blocks of flats. Many are built into the slope with retaining walls, basements and garden terraces, which create plenty of hidden voids. Flat roofs and roof gardens attract pigeons and gulls. Staff quarters, garages and pool rooms add more places to check.
Fresnaye runs up the lower slopes of Lion's Head and Signal Hill, with fynbos and greenbelt directly above many homes. The South-Easter can be fierce, and winter storms hit straight off the Atlantic. Water runs down the slopes in winter, and rodents move down with the weather.
A note from the field
If you have a pool or pond next to a lapa, mention it. We plan treatments under thatch so nothing drifts into the water.
Pale, fresh powder means activity; dark, compacted dust in old holes usually means the beetles left long ago. That distinction saves a lot of unnecessary treatment.
How to tell you have a problem
- Birds pulling reed out of the roof or nesting under the eaves.
- Droppings on beams or along the top of walls under the thatch.
- Small round exit holes in the poles, especially in the paler sapwood.
- Fine powder dropping from the poles or laths onto floors and furniture below.
- Tunnels or loose patches in the thatch where rodents have been moving.
- Rustling or scratching in the roof at night.
Borer in the poles and laths weakens the timbers that carry the weight of the thatch, which is heavy, and serious damage can mean replacing structural members. Rodents nesting in thatch chew electrical cables, and in a thatch roof that is a fire risk to take seriously. Insects dropping from an open thatch ceiling are a nuisance in homes and a real problem in guest lodges and restaurants. Bird nests in thatch can bring mites into bedrooms below.
Our process, step by step
We start by inspecting the underside of the roof, the poles, the laths and the eaves, looking for borer exit holes, frass and rodent or bird activity. Affected poles and laths are treated with a borer spray or injection designed for timber, applied to the wood rather than soaked through the thatch. For insects living in the thatch, we use a targeted residual treatment on the underside, keeping it as light as will do the job. Rodents are handled with traps and tamper-resistant bait stations placed at wall plates and entry points, and we advise on bird netting or proofing at the eaves. Fire safety of the thatch itself, such as retardant treatment, is a separate specialist job and we will tell you if it looks overdue.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our thatch treatment service works.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Keep trees and creepers trimmed back from the thatch so rodents cannot step straight onto the roof.
- Do not store firewood or boxes against the walls under the thatch, as they give insects and rodents cover.
- Ask your thatcher to check the poles and laths for borer whenever the roof is being repaired or re-combed.
- Have open thatch ceilings in lapas and lodges checked once a year, since problems are easy to see early.
- Have electrical wiring in the roof inspected regularly, especially if you have had rodents.
What affects the price
The price depends on the size of the roof, how much of the structure is exposed and how many poles and laths show borer activity. A small lapa with an open underside is a very different job from a double-storey home with a closed ceiling. Rodent and bird work is added where needed, and timber that is too damaged to treat has to be replaced by a builder or thatcher.
Adult borer beetles emerge mainly in the warmer months, so fresh powder and holes often appear from late spring into summer. Rodents move into thatch most during the wet Cape winters when it offers dry shelter. Treatment can be done at any time of year, though a dry day makes inspecting the roof easier.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a guarantee?
Our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee, and the report records exactly what was treated.
Do the rats in Fresnaye come down from Lion's Head?
Many do, especially in winter. Homes on the upper streets see the most activity, and cutting back creepers and sealing roof gaps makes a big difference.
How do I stop pigeons nesting on my Fresnaye balcony?
Netting the balcony or fitting spikes on ledges stops them landing. Clearing any old nests first is important to get rid of bird mites.
Do you come out to Fresnaye for thatch treatment?
Yes. Fresnaye is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Three Anchor Bay. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
How do I know if the borer is still active?
Fresh, pale powder below the poles and clean-edged holes point to active borer. We can tell you on inspection, or send us a photo on WhatsApp first.
Can you treat a lapa or braai area?
Yes, lapas are often the easiest to treat because the whole structure is open underneath.
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