Ask anyone in Kirstenhof about pests and mosquitoes will come up first, thanks to the Westlake wetlands just down the road. After that it is roof rats, Argentine ants and paper wasps, which is pretty much the standard package for a green, garden-heavy suburb.
The local picture in Kirstenhof
Schools and creches in the area ask for disinfection during flu season. Landlords sanitise between tenants.
The Westlake River and wetland system runs nearby, draining towards Zandvlei, and Tokai forest and the Steenberg mountains are just up the road. Winter rain is heavy and the wetlands fill up. Damp ground, reeds and standing water make it a natural mosquito and rodent area.
Homes are mostly single-storey family houses and some townhouse complexes, built from the 1960s onwards, with gardens, pools and often thatched lapas. Many have big trees and shrubbery close to the walls. Thatch, timber decks and dense planting give pests places to hide.
Mosquitoes near the wetlands, rats and mice in roofs and gardens, and Argentine ants are top of the list. Paper wasps, crickets and fleas are common in summer.
Something most people miss
A common mistake is to fog first and wipe later. Dirt and grease shield viruses from disinfectant, so we clean the high-touch points before the fogger goes on.
What gives them away
- Shared equipment such as till points, keyboards, phones and kitchen counters is used by many hands every day.
- A staff member, resident or regular visitor has tested positive or gone home sick with flu-like symptoms.
- Normal cleaning has been done, but nobody has wiped door handles, light switches and lift buttons properly.
- Vulnerable people, such as the elderly or anyone on chemotherapy, live or work in the building.
- A client, landlord or head office has asked for proof that the premises were disinfected.
- Several people in the same office or household have fallen ill within a few days of each other.
Respiratory viruses spread mainly through the air between people, but contaminated surfaces play a part, particularly in busy shared spaces. For a business the bigger cost is often staff absence: one case that turns into five can empty a small office for a week. There is also a trust issue, because staff and customers want to know something was actually done. Surface disinfection lowers the load on surfaces, but it does not replace ventilation, staying home when sick or medical advice.
Our process, step by step
We start with the boring part that matters most: wiping down high-touch surfaces by hand with a suitable disinfectant, because fogging alone does not scrub a greasy door handle. Then we fog the rooms with a ULV fogger, which puts out a fine mist that settles on surfaces, including the ones nobody thinks to wipe. We choose products that are suitable for the surfaces and the people who will use the space, and we tell you how long to keep the area closed before re-entry. Electronics are covered or wiped rather than soaked. Afterwards you get a short report listing the areas treated and the product used.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our COVID-19 disinfection service works.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Know who to phone before you need it, so a positive case does not turn into a day of scrambling.
- Open windows where you can. Cape Town's south-easter is good for something, and moving air dilutes airborne virus.
- Place hand sanitiser at entrances, the kitchen and the till, and keep it topped up.
- Keep people at home when they are sick. It does more than any amount of spraying.
- Put a daily wipe-down of handles, switches and shared phones on someone's task list, not just the cleaner's.
How much will it cost?
The cost depends mostly on floor area and how many separate rooms need fogging. Heavy furniture, lots of electronics or food preparation areas take more time because they need careful wiping and covering. After-hours or weekend work and repeat treatments during an ongoing outbreak also affect the quote, which is free.
A household with one sick person can do a decent job with gloves, a disinfectant and some discipline about door handles and the bathroom. For an office, a shop or a care facility, I would get it done professionally, partly for the thoroughness and partly because you get a written record that it was done properly.
COVID-19 Disinfection questions from Kirstenhof
Is it safe for children and pets afterwards?
Yes, once the re-entry time has passed and the room has been ventilated. Keep pets and kids out while we are working.
How long before staff can go back in?
Usually a couple of hours after fogging, once the room has been aired. We confirm the exact time on the day based on the product used.
Do you give a certificate or report?
You get a post-treatment report listing the areas treated and the product used, which most landlords and head offices accept as proof.
Are the mosquitoes in Kirstenhof worse because of the wetlands?
Yes, the Westlake wetlands provide breeding sites, especially after winter rains. Removing standing water at home and treating resting sites in the garden reduces bites.
Do Egyptian geese cause problems in Kirstenhof gardens?
They can foul lawns and pool areas and be aggressive when nesting. Bird deterrents and changing what attracts them to your garden can help.
Do you come out to Kirstenhof for COVID-19 disinfection?
Yes. Kirstenhof is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Tokai, Heathfield, Steenberg, Lakeside. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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