Kraaifontein is our next-door neighbour, just up the road from our base in Brackenfell. It is a sprawling area with older suburbs in the middle, new estates on the edges and smallholdings beyond, so the pests run from cockroaches in flats to mice coming in off the farmland.
Hygiene & disinfection around Kraaifontein
Schools, clinics and businesses ask for disinfection in flu season. Landlords sanitise between tenants.
The town sits on flat to gently rolling land where the Northern Suburbs meet the farmland of the Joostenberg Vlakte. Summers are hot and dry, much hotter than the coast, and winters are cold and wet. That inland heat drives ant and fly numbers up in summer, and the cold sends field mice indoors in winter.
Rats and mice from open land and farms, Argentine ants and flies in summer are top of the list. German cockroaches are common in denser housing and shops. Wasps and fleas round it out.
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.
Disinfection is not a substitute for ventilation. In a Cape Town winter it is tempting to keep everything closed, but fresh air does a lot of the work for you.
Signs to look for
- Normal cleaning has been done, but nobody has wiped door handles, light switches and lift buttons properly.
- You are about to reopen a space that was closed because of illness.
- Several people in the same office or household have fallen ill within a few days of each other.
- 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.
- Vulnerable people, such as the elderly or anyone on chemotherapy, live or work in the building.
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.
What happens when we come out
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.
Prevention that actually works
- Place hand sanitiser at entrances, the kitchen and the till, and keep it topped up.
- Put a daily wipe-down of handles, switches and shared phones on someone's task list, not just the cleaner's.
- Keep people at home when they are sick. It does more than any amount of spraying.
- Open windows where you can. Cape Town's south-easter is good for something, and moving air dilutes airborne virus.
- Stop sharing headsets, pens and keyboards between shifts where you can avoid it.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Do you come out to Kraaifontein for COVID-19 disinfection?
Yes. Kraaifontein is part of our regular Northern Suburbs route, along with Brackenfell, Durbanville, Kuils River, Bellville. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Will it damage computers or documents?
No, a ULV fog is very fine and settles lightly. We still cover or wipe sensitive electronics instead of fogging straight at them.
Do mice come from the farms around Kraaifontein?
Yes, especially when fields are harvested or ploughed. Homes near open land benefit from boundary bait stations and sealed entry points.
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.
How quickly can you get to Kraaifontein?
We are based in Brackenfell, right next door, but our average turnaround is still around 48 hours depending on the season. For urgent problems, call our 24-hour emergency line.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254