Somerset West spreads out below the Helderberg mountain, from older central suburbs to big security estates and wine farms. It's a wide area, and the pests change a lot between the town centre, the estates and the farmland edges.
Hygiene & disinfection around Somerset West
Retirement villages, schools, gyms and restaurants regularly book disinfection and sanitising.
The Helderberg mountain and Helderberg Nature Reserve rise behind the town, with vineyards and farmland around it. The Lourens River runs through the area to False Bay. Winters are wet and the South-Easter blows strongly in summer, which pushes insects and dust around.
Older family homes with big gardens sit near the town centre, while newer areas are mostly gated estates, townhouse complexes and retirement villages. There are shopping centres, schools, wine farms and small industrial areas too. Estates with lots of landscaping and water features attract ants, mosquitoes and Egyptian geese. Large roofs and garages give rodents room to settle.
Signs to look for
- A client, landlord or head office has asked for proof that the premises were disinfected.
- Shared equipment such as till points, keyboards, phones and kitchen counters is used by many hands every day.
- Vulnerable people, such as the elderly or anyone on chemotherapy, live or work in the building.
- You are about to reopen a space that was closed because of illness.
A note from the field
When we walk into an office after a positive case, the first thing we look at is the shared kitchen. Kettle, fridge handle, microwave buttons and the tea-towel nobody washes.
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
- Know who to phone before you need it, so a positive case does not turn into a day of scrambling.
- 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.
- Stop sharing headsets, pens and keyboards between shifts where you can avoid it.
- Keep people at home when they are sick. It does more than any amount of spraying.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Why do rats come into Somerset West homes after the grape harvest?
Once the vineyards are picked, food in the fields drops off and rodents look for new shelter. Early autumn is a good time to proof roofs and garages.
Do you come out to Somerset West for COVID-19 disinfection?
Yes. Somerset West is part of our regular Helderberg route, along with Strand, Gordon's Bay, Helderberg, Macassar. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
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.
Can you deal with Egyptian geese on our Somerset West estate?
We can advise on bird proofing and deterrents for roofs and buildings. Managing geese on open lawns usually needs a plan with the estate's management.
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.
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