Tamboerskloof Cockroach Control

Tamboerskloof climbs steeply up the slopes of Lion's Head and Signal Hill above Kloof Street.

Cockroaches in Tamboerskloof kitchens and drains

German cockroaches are mainly a restaurant kitchen problem in Tamboerskloof, in the cafés, bars and restaurants along Kloof Street and the flats above them, where shared walls and plumbing let them spread. American cockroaches come up through the old drainage in the Victorian houses on warm nights, often appearing in bathrooms and basements.

We use gel baits and dusts in kitchens rather than open spraying, and treat drains and floor traps for American cockroaches. Restaurants can book regular visits with written reports, and in flats we recommend treating neighbouring units together.

Signal Hill and Lion's Head are part of the Table Mountain National Park, and the greenbelt reaches right to the top streets. Winter rain runs down the slope and keeps old basements and retaining walls damp.

Cockroaches, fishmoths and pigeons fill most of the rest of the calendar.

Signs to look for

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.

How the treatment works

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

• Check cardboard boxes, second-hand appliances and furniture before bringing them indoors.
• Seal gaps where pipes and cables pass through walls under sinks and behind appliances.
• 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.

How much will it cost?

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.

For the occasional big American cockroach wandering in from the drain, a drain cover and some sealing will often do the trick. German cockroaches are a different story, and I would say DIY sprays and foggers make most infestations worse by scattering them into the walls and next door. If you are seeing small cockroaches in the kitchen during the day, you need a professional.

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