Newlands sits on the wet side of Table Mountain under big oaks and pines, and that moisture drives a lot of what we see here.
Cockroaches in Newlands
Cockroaches are less of a problem in Newlands homes than rodents, but German cockroaches turn up in apartment blocks near Main Road and in restaurant and sports club kitchens. American cockroaches come up through drains in older houses.
We use gel baits and dusts in kitchens and treat drains for American cockroaches. Sports clubs and restaurants can book regular visits. In older homes, damp sub-floor voids and old cast-iron drains give American cockroaches somewhere to live. Keeping floor traps full of water and drain covers in place stops most of them coming in.
Newlands is one of the wettest suburbs in Cape Town, with Newlands Forest and the Table Mountain National Park slopes right above it and the Liesbeek running through. Winter rain is heavy and long, and many properties stay shaded and damp for months. Mountain streams and forest edges bring wildlife close to gardens.
A note from the field
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.
In rented flats, cockroaches are often a building problem, not a tenant problem. Landlords and body corporates get far better results treating the whole building together.
What gives them away
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Our process, step by step
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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Never leave dirty dishes or pots in the sink overnight.
- Clean behind and under the stove and fridge every few months, since grease build-up there feeds a lot of cockroaches.
- Take rubbish out every evening and keep outside bins with tight lids away from doors.
- 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 Newlands
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Are cockroaches common in Newlands?
Less than in denser suburbs. They mostly turn up in flats and commercial kitchens.
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