Ask a Capetonian about the Southern Suburbs and they will picture oak-lined avenues, the mountain looming over Newlands and the rain that rolls in off it in winter. Those same oaks, gardens and wet months are why squirrels, rats, ants and wood borer make up so much of our work between Rondebosch and Constantia.
Thatch Treatment by suburb
We cover all 29 suburbs on our Southern Suburbs route. Each suburb page covers what we find there and what works for those streets and buildings.
- BergvlietThatch Treatment
- BishopscourtThatch Treatment
- ClaremontThatch Treatment
- ConstantiaThatch Treatment
- Diep RiverThatch Treatment
- Harfield VillageThatch Treatment
- HeathfieldThatch Treatment
- KenilworthThatch Treatment
- KenwynThatch Treatment
- KirstenhofThatch Treatment
- KreupelboschThatch Treatment
- LansdowneThatch Treatment
- MeadowridgeThatch Treatment
- MowbrayThatch Treatment
- NdabeniThatch Treatment
- NewlandsThatch Treatment
- ObservatoryThatch Treatment
- OtteryThatch Treatment
- PinelandsThatch Treatment
- PlumsteadThatch Treatment
- RetreatThatch Treatment
- RondeboschThatch Treatment
- Rondebosch EastThatch Treatment
- RosebankThatch Treatment
- Salt RiverThatch Treatment
- SouthfieldThatch Treatment
- SteenbergThatch Treatment
- TokaiThatch Treatment
- WynbergThatch Treatment
Timber pests in Southern Suburbs: what we see
Common furniture beetle attacks old pine floors, roof timbers and antique furniture, and Constantia's thatched roofs and old homesteads need regular checks. Beetle certificates are routine on property sales here.
The housing spans Victorian semis in Rondebosch and Claremont, big Edwardian and mid-century family homes in Newlands and Bishopscourt, student digs near UCT, blocks of flats around Wynberg and Claremont, and old farm-style homesteads and estates in Constantia. Many older homes have suspended timber floors, deep roof voids and outbuildings that rodents and squirrels quickly claim. Thatched roofs and gabled homesteads in Constantia bring their own timber and rodent issues.
A note from the field
Borer damage in thatch is often blamed on the reed, but the reed is rarely the problem. It is the poles and laths holding it up that the beetles are after.
Tell-tale signs
- Droppings on beams or along the top of walls under the thatch.
- Rustling or scratching in the roof at night.
- Small round exit holes in the poles, especially in the paler sapwood.
- Insects such as cockroaches or spiders falling from the ceiling.
- Birds pulling reed out of the roof or nesting under the eaves.
What happens when we come out
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Fit bird netting or wire at the eaves if birds keep pulling reed or nesting there.
- Have open thatch ceilings in lapas and lodges checked once a year, since problems are easy to see early.
- Ask your thatcher to check the poles and laths for borer whenever the roof is being repaired or re-combed.
- Have electrical wiring in the roof inspected regularly, especially if you have had rodents.
- Do not store firewood or boxes against the walls under the thatch, as they give insects and rodents cover.
Pricing, honestly
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
Do you come out to Southern Suburbs for thatch treatment?
Yes. Southern Suburbs is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Wynberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Do I need a beetle certificate to sell an old house in the Southern Suburbs?
In most sales, yes, it is a condition of the deed of sale. Older homes with timber floors and roof beams are inspected closely, so it is worth checking before you list.
Do I need to move out?
Usually not. We will tell you which rooms to keep clear during treatment and for how long.
Do you treat the thatch for fire?
No, fire retardant treatment is a specialist job for thatching contractors. We treat the pests in the roof and will point out if the thatch looks like it needs attention.
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.
How do I get grey squirrels out of my roof in the Southern Suburbs?
The first step is finding and sealing every entry point once the squirrels are out, usually along fascias near trees. We can inspect your roof and advise on proofing and safe removal.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254