Bird control and proofing in Port Elizabeth
It's usually one of two things when people phone: birds making one heck of a racket in the roof, or a problem they describe as bird lice in the house.
For roof work in Port Elizabeth, I start with where the birds are entering and leaving. Taking a nest out and closing a roof are different parts of the job.
Written by Diederik Visser
Operations, marketing and pest control at True Clean. Seven years in pest control.
First-hand information recorded .
What do you check before planning the work?
There are usually two reasons people phone. Either the birds are making one heck of a racket in the roof, or there is a bird-lice problem inside the house. Sometimes both are happening. I ask about the roof access and the activity indoors so we can assess the whole job.
The first thing I ask is where you've seen the birds enter or leave. Then I check whether the access point can realistically be blocked and where the nest is.
Some roofs have so many entry points that full proofing can become expensive. I'll explain what can be reached, what work is practical and what the quote covers.
I then look in the roof for the nest and whether I can get to it. Finding the opening from outside doesn't automatically mean the nest is within reach inside. Both pieces of information affect what we can actually do on the visit.
How do you block the way back in?
We generally use chicken mesh or chicken wire. The material and the way it's fitted depend on the gap and the roof structure.
The point is to deal with the access being used, rather than fit the same thing everywhere. Other proofing options need an assessment of the building.
On some jobs, suitable filler may be used with the mesh as part of the fitting. The gap and the structure decide that. We need to agree which access points are being dealt with, especially on a roof with many possible ways in.
If full proofing is a large job, that needs an honest discussion about scope and cost. Closing one accessible opening and proofing all the potential access around an entire roof are different amounts of work.
Can a nest always be removed straight away?
No. Sometimes the nest is in a spot you can't practically reach. We've had jobs where we needed to wait until the birds had moved out naturally before closing the access point.
We assess the nest, the birds and the access before agreeing on the work. Closing a hole while birds are still inside isn't the plan.
It can be frustrating when the noise is bothering you now, but the nest is tucked away somewhere we can't reach. In that situation, the timing has to follow what is practical with the birds and nest. We explain the limit and arrange the next step after checking the access.
What if there is also a bird-lice problem?
Tell us about that when you book. Roof proofing and treatment inside the house may both need attention.
The bird-lice treatment page explains how we inspect that problem, treatment arrangements and the published rates.
Dealing with the opening in the roof and dealing with tiny insects already around the rooms are different parts of the work. Let us know about both when you call, even if the noisy birds are the reason you first noticed the problem. That helps us plan the inspection and explain whether indoor treatment is needed as well.
Questions we get asked
Will every roof need the same amount of proofing?
No. Some have one practical access point; others have a lot. The amount of closing-up work is one of the things that changes the quote.
Can birds and rats use similar roof access?
They can both involve gaps and routes into the roof. If you're also hearing rodents, tell us so we can check what is actually using the space.
What does the work cost?
Standard nest-removal and roof-extra rates are listed below. Larger proofing jobs, or difficult access, need a quote after we've looked. VAT is included.
| Job | Price |
|---|---|
| Each hole inside the roof after the first three | R29 |
| Nest removal and closing two holes | R1 380 |
See the travel charges by area for work outside Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha.
Prices can change. We keep the site up to date as best we can, and the price we quote you before we start is the one you pay.
Tell us what you're seeing
Tell us where the problem is and what you've noticed. We'll take it from there.
Or phone 061 905 0514 if you'd rather talk to a person.