At Home
Guidance for living the Vision when it comes to decisions about your property and your daily lifestyle at home.
- Avoid putting up walls as fences as much as you can. They limit wildlife movement, and affect the open, natural character of the Rooiels landscape. If you must create a wall or fence, keep it low, use open material and limit it to a small area of your plot. Avoid using creosote on fence posts – it’s extremely toxic to soil organisms, wildlife and waterways.
👉 Read more about regulations and best practices on the Building & Renovating page.
- Outdoor lights disorient wildlife, pollute our pristine night skies and disturb other residents. Use soft, downward-facing outside lights and turn them off when not in use, or switch to motion-sensor lights.
👉 Read more about outdoor lighting on the Building & Renovating page.
- Be very careful about braaiing outdoors. In fact, outdoor fires aren’t permitted at all in the fire season (typically 1 November – end May) or if the Fire Danger Index is yellow, orange or red. Always douse coals with water when your finished cooking and ensure they are completely extinguished. Dispose of coals in your own bin – never on the ground.
- Make sure your doors and windows are fitted with baboon proof latches, and always use them! Even if you’re just stepping out for a moment.Â
- Only use toxic or corrosive household cleaners, solvents and other harmful chemicals as little as possible. Ensure that you dispose of them responsibly – never wash them down the drain or thow them onto the ground. They can be disposed of at the municipality’s hazardous waste drop off points Kleinmond, Hermanus or Gansbaai.Â
- Never use rat poison, indiscriminate traps or any pest control which could harm our wildlife.Â
👉 Read this Safe Pest Control booklet from UCT.