Oranjezicht climbs right up to the edge of Table Mountain, so a lot of what comes into homes here walks in off the mountain.
Cockroaches in Oranjezicht
Cockroaches aren't a big problem in most Oranjezicht homes, but American cockroaches come up from old drains and cellars in the older houses on warm summer nights, and German cockroaches turn up in the kitchens of apartment blocks, guest houses and the cafés and delis near Upper Orange Street. They usually arrive in deliveries and grocery boxes and breed behind fridges and in cupboard hinges.
We treat drains, floor traps and cellars for American cockroaches and use gel baits and dusts in kitchens for German cockroaches. Guest houses and cafés can book regular visits.
The suburb backs onto Table Mountain National Park, with mountain streams, the Molteno reservoir area and De Waal Park nearby. Winter rain runs off the mountain and keeps properties damp, while the South-Easter blows down hard in summer. Trees and greenbelts link gardens directly to the mountain.
From the technician
A lot of people think cockroaches mean the house is dirty. German cockroaches very often arrive in delivery boxes or second-hand appliances, and a clean house just gives them fewer places to feed.
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.
Tell-tale signs
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
What happens when we come out
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.
Prevention that actually works
- 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.
- Check cardboard boxes, second-hand appliances and furniture before bringing them indoors.
- 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.
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.
Questions we get asked in Oranjezicht
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.
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.
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.
Why do big cockroaches come into my Oranjezicht cellar?
They're American cockroaches from old drains. A drain treatment and full water traps stop most of 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.
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
