Walmer Estate is the colourful little suburb tucked between Zonnebloem and Upper Woodstock, with Devil's Peak looming over it. Families have lived here for generations, and the old homes and steep lanes have their own set of pest habits.
The local picture in Walmer Estate
Mosques, madrassas, crèches and community halls in the area ask for sanitising, especially in flu season. Rentals between tenants are another regular job.
The mountain greenbelt starts just above the top streets, and De Waal Drive cuts across the slope. The South-Easter comes down hard in summer, while winter rain runs off the mountain and keeps older brickwork damp. The harbour and the city sit below, so gulls drift up regularly.
Rodents and German cockroaches are the most frequent calls. Pigeons on flat roofs and parapets come next, and fishmoths are common in the damp months. Older timber can need borer treatment.
From the technician
For homes with small children or pets, the main rule is simple: everybody out during the treatment, windows open afterwards, and wait out the re-entry time we give you.
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
- Several people in the same office or household have fallen ill within a few days of each other.
- 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.
- 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.
How the treatment works
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.
- Quick call or WhatsApp
Tell us what happened, the size of the space and when you need it back. We plan around your hours, including after-hours and weekends on request.
- Walk-through
We check the layout, the high-touch points and anything sensitive like server rooms, food areas or medical equipment.
- Manual wipe-down
Handles, switches, desks, counters, taps and shared equipment are wiped with disinfectant first.
- ULV fogging
Each room is fogged with the doors closed, then left for the recommended contact time.
- Ventilate and hand back
We open up, confirm the re-entry time and leave a written report for your records.
Stopping a repeat visit
- 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.
- 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.
What affects the price
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 Walmer Estate
Do you come out to Walmer Estate for COVID-19 disinfection?
Yes. Walmer Estate is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with University Estate, Zonnebloem, Upper Woodstock, Woodstock. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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 do I stop pigeons nesting on my flat roof in Walmer Estate?
Remove the nesting material first, then fit bird spikes or wire along the parapets. Netting works well for bigger flat roof areas.
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.
Can a community hall in Walmer Estate get a disinfection service?
Yes. We disinfect and sanitise halls, crèches and places of worship, and can work after hours or on weekends on request so it does not interfere with gatherings.
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.
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