Gordon's Bay is a harbour village tucked into the corner of False Bay, with houses stacked up the mountainside and holiday flats near the beach.
Cockroaches in Gordon's Bay
German cockroaches are mainly a restaurant problem in Gordon's Bay, in the kitchens around the harbour and the beachfront. Holiday flats can pick them up from luggage and deliveries, and they breed fast in a warm, closed-up kitchen. American cockroaches come up through drains in older houses.
We use gel baits and dusts rather than open spraying, and harbour restaurants can book regular visits with a written report each time.
Argentine ants, fishmoths and German cockroaches in harbour restaurants complete the picture.
Tell-tale signs
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
From the technician
Foggers and bug bombs feel like they should work, but cockroaches simply retreat into walls and neighbouring units until the fog settles. They often come back in bigger numbers.
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.
How we handle cockroach control in Gordon's Bay
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.
- Identify the cockroach
German or American makes a big difference to where we treat. A WhatsApp photo is usually enough to tell.
- Inspect harbourage
We check hinges, behind and under appliances, motor compartments, drains, and electrical points with a torch.
- Map the infestation
We note which rooms or units are affected, and whether neighbouring flats or shared drains are involved.
- Bait and growth regulator
Gel bait goes into feeding spots, and a growth regulator breaks the breeding cycle.
- Drains and voids
Floor drains, manholes and wall voids are treated to stop American cockroaches getting in.
- Follow-up and report
German cockroach jobs usually need a follow-up visit to catch hatching nymphs, and you get a report with proofing advice.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Take rubbish out every evening and keep outside bins with tight lids away from doors.
- Clean behind and under the stove and fridge every few months, since grease build-up there feeds a lot of cockroaches.
- Never leave dirty dishes or pots in the sink overnight.
- Keep floor drains covered and run water down little-used drains weekly so the traps stay full.
- Seal gaps where pipes and cables pass through walls under sinks and behind appliances.
What affects the price
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.
Cockroach Control questions from Gordon's Bay
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.
Why did I find cockroaches in my Gordon's Bay flat after the holidays?
They often arrive with luggage or groceries and breed while the flat is closed. A gel bait treatment clears them.
How did I get German cockroaches in a clean house?
They usually hitch a ride in grocery boxes, appliances, furniture or bags, or move in from a neighbouring unit. Cleanliness helps control them, but it does not stop them from arriving.
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 my Gordon's Bay holiday home while I'm away?
Yes, if access is arranged. We'll send you a post-treatment report with what we found and did.
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.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
