There can be no doubt that the Cape Peninsula is a beautiful place to call home. We are privileged to live in a global biodiversity hotspot where much of the land abutting the urban edge is national park. Living so close to nature is both a privilege and a responsibility and it is important to be cognisant of the fact that our behaviour can significantly affect the behaviour of the wildlife around us. Baboons are perhaps the most challenging species to live alongside owing to their intelligence, agility, and opportunistic nature, but by baboon-proofing your home, you can reduce these challenges considerably. Read on to learn more.
WASTE
Many households in baboon ranging areas have been issued with double lockable baboon-proof bins, which must be secured with two padlocks or clips. These bins work extremely well if they are properly secured. Some baboons have however learned that if they tip the bins over with enough force, the locking mechanism can pop open. To reduce the chance of this happening, it is recommended that bins are placed with the locks down on the ground, affixed to a pole with a rope or chain, or secured to a wall using hooks. If you opt to place your bin face down on the ground, placing the bin lid against a wall adds an additional level of security.
New residents are often unsure if the waste removal contractor will be able to empty their bin on collection day if the locks are in place. Rest assured that you can leave your locks in place. The waste collection truck has a mechanism that enables the lid to be opened without needing access to the padlock keys.
Unfortunately, double lockable bins have not been re-issued for some time and some residents in baboon ranging areas only have standard bins. It is hoped that new baboon-proof bins will be rolled out in the near future. In the meantime, many responsible, proactive residents have opted to DIY baboon-proof their own bins. Some examples are shown below.
Pet Food and Bird Feeders
If you have to feed your pets outside, please do not leave leftover food to sit outside. Most healthy adult cats and dogs can be fed twice a day and will consume what they need in a matter of minutes. We recommend picking up any uneaten food after 15 minutes to reduce the chances of attracting baboons onto your property which could result in unwanted or negative interactions between baboons and you or your pets.
Cape Town is home to a vast array of bird species, and it can be tempting to want to attract them to your yard. However feeding birds can lead to inadvertent feeding of baboons. A handful of birdseed will provide more calories in a matter of moments than baboons could forage for naturally in an hour or so. Sugar water, which is often placed in bottle feeders for birds, is akin to cool drink for baboons and they will repeatedly attempt to access them once they have been found. If you want to attract birds to your garden, we recommend investigating planting indigenous flowers in your garden, which is healthier for birds and less likely to attract baboons.
Vegetable Gardens and Fruiting Trees
It can be enjoyable and rewarding to grow your own produce, but as residents living on the urban edge, we must understand that these foods are also attractive to wildlife. Any unprotected food sources will attract the baboons into the residential area and increase the likelihood of unwanted or negative interactions between baboons and residents.
If you have a vegetable garden, it needs to be fully baboon-proofed. Baboons are intelligent, strong, and curious, so prepare to have your construction skills tested to their limit. It is important to ensure that your materials are up to the challenge. You will need sturdy poles and well-secured diamond mesh or galvanised wire mesh to avoid sagging should a baboon jump on top of the structure (bear in mind that adult male baboons can weigh up to 40kg). You will also need to consider the spacing of the mesh to prevent baboons from reaching through and grabbing vegetables or fruit. Chicken wire can be used behind stronger mesh as a cost-effective way to reduce baboon access.
We strongly recommend removing fruit trees from your property. If you are not open to this option, it is important to pick the fruit regularly to reduce the attractiveness to baboons.
Doors and Windows
Baboons are highly opportunistic and are quick to take advantage of an open door or window. You can however completely eliminate the risk of a baboon entering your home by installing well-made and fitted burglar bars and security doors. This allows you to enjoy fresh air throughout your home without running the risk of unwanted visitors. Please also remember to keep attractants such as fruit bowls out of sight to reduce the chance of baboons trying to access your house.
Burglar bars and security gates work most effectively if the gaps are less than 6cm apart. This prevents even the smallest baboons from gaining access to your house. A variety of options are available to suit most budgets. BUCO and Builders Warehouse are just some of the big retailers that stock a large range of security gates and bars.
If you are concerned about metal bars obscuring your view, you may opt for clear bars. Please click here to access tips from local installers ‘Poly-Bars’ on how to ensure that your clear bars are install correctly to minimise the risk of baboons accessing your home.
If you are looking for a security gate that is as beautiful as it is functional, consider ordering a gate from Caroline McDowell Metal Works. The company that is based in Betty’s Bay but can deliver to the Cape Town area. Please ensure that you let them know that the door design would need to be spaced to be baboon-proof. They have a number of pre-designed gates or they can customise one for you. You can visit their website at: www.movinghands.org or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/movinghandsmetal.*
*References to any specific company, products and/or services on this page were not paid for and does not imply that it is favoured or endorsed by NCC Group.
Sliding Door Considerations
Baboons can sometimes lift sliding doors off their rails to gain access to houses. It is quite easy to reduce the chance of this happening using simple mitigation measures. This will also deter burglars who often utilise the same tactic. You can use an angle bracket as depicted in the Figure 9, coupled with an additional patio door lock like the one shown in Figure 10.
Window latches
It is always recommended to leave windows closed if you do not have appropriately spaced burglar bars. However, there are some adjustable and lockable window latches on the market that allow you to leave windows slightly open for ventilation but locked to prevent human intruders or baboons from gaining access. It is recommended that two locks are used on each window if you wish to use this option. One lock should be installed at the top of the frame and one at the bottom for maximum effectiveness. Baboons can sometimes manage to bend and break window frames if a lock or latch is only used on one open edge. Please remember that a maximum opening of 6cm should be used to prevent even the smallest of baboons from entering your property. Locklatch.co.za sell lockable window limiters and their MiniLatch is adjustable to the recommended opening of 6cm.*
Yale also offer a non-lockable but robust and adjustable option called the Securistay window restrictor. Your local hardware store may also be able to assist you with alternative brands that provide comparable products to the above.*
Roofs and Gutters
Roofs and gutter can be particularly susceptible to damage when baboons are moving through the urban area. Baboons use roofs as both safe resting spots and look out stations, and often use gutters to climb onto roofs. If you live in a baboon ranging area, we recommend that you double up on the usual recommended spacing of gutter brackets to reduce the likelihood of the baboons pulling the guttering away from the wall. Sturdy ‘bird’ spikes can also be used along gutters and drainpipes to prevent baboons from grasping or climbing onto them.
Some residents and businesses opt to place electric aprons on their roofs to prevent baboons from climbing up onto them. This is a more costly solution but an effective one if properly designed. If you would like to discuss this option further, please reach out to us at ubp@ncc-group.co.za for further advice.
Electric Perimeter Fencing
Electric fencing is often proposed as a solution to reducing overlap between humans and baboons. When properly designed, electric fencing can reduce baboon visits to protected properties by nearly 100%. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to successfully baboon-proof the perimeter of a standard residential property as it requires a clear buffer area where there are no nearby buildings or vegetation that the baboons can use to jump over the fence. The specification of the fence also needs to be tailored to ensure that the fence is truly baboon-proof. Regular testing and maintenance of the fence will also be required. If you feel that your property could potentially be suitable for a baboon-proof fence, please reach out to us at ubp@ncc-group.co.za for advice.
Outside Fixtures – Exterior Lighting, Security Cameras and DSTV Dishes
The curious and playful nature of baboons can unfortunately translate into damage to outside fixtures of your house. Fixtures can be protected by bird spikes, barbed wire, sturdy metal cages or even acacia branches.
Figure 15: Decorative bird spikes are available online and can be used to protect outside fixtures. In this case they are being used on a tree to prevent baboons from using it to jump over a nearby electric fence.
*References to any specific company, products and/or services on this page were not paid for and does not imply that it is favoured or endorsed by NCC Group.