Claremont is the Southern Suburbs' shopping and office hub, built around Cavendish Square, Main Road and the station, with leafy residential streets running up towards the mountain. Our work here swings between commercial kitchens and retail on one side and older family homes with big trees on the other.
The local picture in Claremont
Offices, gyms, medical rooms and schools in the area often ask for disinfection, especially in the winter flu months.
Being close to Newlands and the mountain, Claremont is one of the wetter parts of Cape Town in winter, so damp walls and soggy gardens are normal. Large oaks and plane trees line the streets, and Arderne Gardens holds an old collection of big trees. That green canopy feeds roof rats and grey squirrels and gives wasps sheltered nesting spots.
Rats in the commercial area and roof rats in homes are the leading issues. German cockroaches cause trouble in restaurants and flats, while ants and fishmoths do well in damp older houses. Squirrels in roofs and pigeons around the shops are steady complaints.
From the technician
The mistake we see most is sweeping dry droppings. It puts fine contaminated dust into the air you breathe, whereas damping it down first keeps it where it is.
In homes with toddlers, pantry and kitchen clean-up after mice matters more than usual, since small children put hands and toys in their mouths. We pick products with that in mind.
What gives them away
- Damp, stained surfaces left after a sewage or drain overflow.
- A build-up of pigeon droppings on ledges, balconies or in the roof space.
- Rodent droppings and urine stains on shelves, in cupboards or on insulation.
- Persistent bad odours from drains, grease traps or bin areas.
- Flies breeding around a refuse area even after bins are emptied.
How we handle bacteria control in Claremont
We treat the source first, because disinfecting a pantry while mice are still living in it is a waste of everyone's time. Once the pest is under control, droppings and nesting material are carefully removed, damping them down first rather than sweeping dry dust into the air. Affected surfaces are then treated with a suitable broad-spectrum disinfectant by spray or wipe, and larger or hard-to-reach areas can be fogged. For drains and bin areas, we combine disinfection with advice on cleaning routines and fly or cockroach control. We use products appropriate for the area, with extra care in kitchens and food storage.
- Assess the contamination
We look at what caused it, how far it has spread and which surfaces are affected.
- Control the source
Rodents, pigeons, flies or cockroaches are dealt with first so the problem does not return.
- Remove debris safely
Droppings and nesting material are damped down and removed using protective equipment.
- Disinfect
Surfaces are treated with a suitable disinfectant by spray, wipe or fogging depending on the area.
- Report and advice
You get a report on what was done and practical tips to keep the area hygienic.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Seal food in containers after a rodent problem so you are not storing food in a contaminated area.
- Clean bin areas regularly and keep lids closed, especially in summer.
- Wear gloves when handling anything you suspect has been contaminated by pests.
- Deal with rodents and pigeons early, before droppings build up in roof spaces and on ledges.
- Never sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings, as it puts contaminated dust into the air; dampen them first.
How much will it cost?
The cost depends on the size of the affected area, how heavily it is contaminated and how easy it is to reach, since a roof void full of pigeon droppings is a much bigger job than a pantry shelf. Whether pest control is needed first also affects the quote. For businesses that need regular hygiene treatments, we can price this as part of a service contract.
Wiping a counter where you saw a mouse is fine to do yourself with household disinfectant and gloves. A roof space full of rodent or pigeon droppings is different, and we would not recommend tackling it without proper protective equipment. The bigger mistake is cleaning up without first solving the pest problem, because it will all be back within weeks.
Bacteria Control questions from Claremont
How soon can you come?
Our average turnaround is about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged for businesses that cannot close.
Do Main Road restaurants bring rats into nearby Claremont homes?
Rats do move from busy food areas into nearby properties, especially along lanes and stormwater lines. Good waste control on the commercial side and sealing gaps at home cuts the problem down.
Do you come out to Claremont for bacteria control?
Yes. Claremont is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Newlands, Kenilworth, Harfield Village, Rondebosch. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Are the squirrels in Claremont roofs a pest problem?
They can be, because grey squirrels chew through roof boards and wiring once they get into a ceiling. We help by sealing entry points and trimming branches, so they stay in the trees instead of your roof.
Can you clean pigeon droppings from a roof space?
Yes. We remove droppings and nesting material and disinfect the area, and we can also proof the roof so the pigeons do not return.
Is this the same as COVID-19 disinfection?
No. Bacteria control focuses on contamination from pests, sewage and dirty areas, while our outbreak disinfection is aimed at viral contamination after illness.
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