Add the restaurants on Kloof Street, old Victorian semis and a lot of flats, and you get a busy mix of pest work.
Cockroaches in Gardens restaurants and flats
German cockroaches are common in the restaurant kitchens on Kloof Street and in the flats above them, connected by shared walls and plumbing. Rentals with frequent tenant turnover also pick them up from boxes and second-hand appliances.
We use gel baits and dusts in kitchens and appliance voids rather than open spraying, and in flats we recommend treating neighbouring units together. Restaurants can have scheduled visits with written reports.
Gardens lies on the lower slopes below Table Mountain, between the city centre and Kloof Nek. Winter rain runs down from the mountain, and in summer the South-Easter tumbles down off the mountain into the streets.
Something most people miss
Gel bait in small dots inside hinges and cracks is one of the safest ways to treat a home with children and pets. It stays where it is put and is not sprayed into the air.
German cockroach egg cases protect the developing young from most insecticides. That is why a follow-up visit is not an upsell; it is part of a proper treatment.
How to tell you have a problem
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
How we handle cockroach control in Gardens
Gel bait is the backbone of most cockroach treatments. It is placed in tiny spots inside hinges, cracks and appliance housings where cockroaches feed, and because they feed on each other's droppings, the bait passes through the population. We add an insect growth regulator for German cockroaches so the young cannot mature and breed. For American cockroaches, we treat floor drains, manholes and entry points with a residual product, and use dusts in wall voids and ceiling spaces. We avoid broad spraying of open surfaces because it is less effective and adds unnecessary chemicals to your home.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our cockroach control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Keep floor drains covered and run water down little-used drains weekly so the traps stay full.
- Never leave dirty dishes or pots in the sink overnight.
- Take rubbish out every evening and keep outside bins with tight lids away from doors.
- Seal gaps where pipes and cables pass through walls under sinks and behind appliances.
- Clean behind and under the stove and fridge every few months, since grease build-up there feeds a lot of cockroaches.
Pricing, honestly
Price depends largely on the species and how big the population is, with German cockroaches in a well-established kitchen taking more time and usually a follow-up visit. The size of the home or business, the number of units involved and the amount of equipment and cupboards to treat all affect the quote. Restaurants and food businesses often go onto a regular contract, which tends to work out better value than repeated once-off treatments, and the quote is free.
American cockroaches are most active in the hot summer months, when they come up from warm drains and sewers at night. German cockroaches breed all year round because they live indoors near stoves, fridges and geysers. Heavy winter rain can flood drains and push cockroaches into homes in large numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I get cockroaches in my Gardens flat?
Usually from a restaurant or neighbouring flat through shared walls and plumbing. Treating both and sealing pipe gaps gives a lasting result.
Do I need to leave the house during treatment?
For gel bait treatments, no. If residual products are used in certain areas, we will tell you how long to keep children and pets away, usually just until it has dried.
Do cockroaches fly in Cape Town?
American cockroaches can fly or glide short distances, mostly on hot, humid nights. German cockroaches have wings but rarely fly.
Can you treat a whole block of flats?
Yes, and it is the best way to deal with German cockroaches in a block. Treating one flat while the neighbours are infested usually leads to quick reinfestation.
Why am I seeing more cockroaches after the treatment?
For a few days, cockroaches affected by the bait often come out into the open before they die. This is normal, and numbers should drop clearly within one to two weeks.
How many treatments will I need?
American cockroaches often need just one. German cockroaches usually need a second visit a few weeks later to deal with nymphs hatching from protected egg cases.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
