Macassar lies near False Bay between Khayelitsha and Somerset West, with the Eerste River reaching the sea close by and the big Macassar dunes along the coast. It's known for the Kramat of Sheikh Yusuf on the hill, and for a strong community with homes that have stood for generations.
Hygiene & disinfection in Macassar: what we see
Schools, clinics and crèches benefit from regular disinfection. Chicken runs and animal pens should be cleaned out regularly to keep flies down.
The Eerste River and its estuary bring reeds and wetland close to the town, and the Macassar dunes stretch along the coast. Sandy soil and strong South-Easter winds in summer move sand and litter about. Winters are wet, and low areas near the river hold water.
There's a mix of older brick family homes, newer government-subsidised housing and backyard rooms. Some plots have outbuildings, chicken runs or vegetable gardens, all of which attract rodents if feed and produce aren't stored well. Newer housing developments sometimes have gaps around roof sheeting where mice get in.
Rats and mice, especially around animal feed and outbuildings, are the main concern. Mosquitoes come from the river and wetland, and ants and flies are common in summer. Fleas are a regular call where there are dogs and livestock.
Tell-tale signs
- A staff member, resident or regular visitor has tested positive or gone home sick with flu-like symptoms.
- Several people in the same office or household have fallen ill within a few days of each other.
- A client, landlord or head office has asked for proof that the premises were disinfected.
- Vulnerable people, such as the elderly or anyone on chemotherapy, live or work in the building.
- Shared equipment such as till points, keyboards, phones and kitchen counters is used by many hands every day.
Something most people miss
Landlords sometimes ask us to treat a flat between tenants after illness. It is a reasonable step, and the written report is useful if anyone asks questions later.
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.
Prevention that actually works
- Open windows where you can. Cape Town's south-easter is good for something, and moving air dilutes airborne virus.
- Keep people at home when they are sick. It does more than any amount of spraying.
- Stop sharing headsets, pens and keyboards between shifts where you can avoid it.
- 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.
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.
Our busiest disinfection months are the wet Cape winters, from about May to August, when people are packed indoors with the windows shut and flu and colds spread fast. We still see call-outs in summer, usually after a single case in an office or a care home.
COVID-19 Disinfection questions from Macassar
Do the rats in Macassar come from the Eerste River?
Some do. The river banks and reeds give them cover, but most rodents near homes are drawn by feed and food stored in outbuildings, so that's where we focus treatment.
Does fogging kill the COVID-19 virus?
The disinfectants we use are effective against enveloped viruses on surfaces when they are given the right contact time. Fogging treats surfaces in the room; it does not make the air or the people in it immune.
Do we have to close the whole building?
Not always. We can treat the affected section first and work around the rest, or come in after hours.
Are scorpions a problem near the Macassar dunes?
You may find them under stones and wood in sandy areas near the dunes. They rarely come indoors, but clearing debris around the house and shaking out shoes left outside is wise.
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 you come out to Macassar for COVID-19 disinfection?
Yes. Macassar is part of our regular Helderberg route, along with Firgrove, Somerset West, Khayelitsha, Strand. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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