Zonnebloem covers much of what was District Six, between the city centre and Woodstock, with the CPUT campus at its centre. Today it is a mix of campus buildings, newer housing and open land, and that combination gives pests plenty of room.
The local picture in Zonnebloem
Campus buildings, residences, schools and places of worship ask for sanitising and fogging. Disinfection between student intakes is a common request.
The area sits on the slope below Devil's Peak, with De Waal Drive and the Eastern Boulevard nearby. Open land attracts rodents and dumping, and winter rains turn some patches muddy. The South-Easter blows litter across the open spaces in summer.
Rats from the open land and old drains are the main concern. German cockroaches and bed bugs show up in residences and shared housing. Pigeons roost on campus and institutional buildings.
Signs to look for
- 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.
- Normal cleaning has been done, but nobody has wiped door handles, light switches and lift buttons properly.
- 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.
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.
From the technician
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.
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.
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- 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.
- 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.
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
Can you treat a whole student residence in Zonnebloem for bed bugs?
Yes. We inspect, treat affected rooms and neighbouring ones, and give a post-treatment report, which helps residence managers keep track.
Do you come out to Zonnebloem for COVID-19 disinfection?
Yes. Zonnebloem is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Walmer Estate, University Estate, Woodstock, Vredehoek. 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.
Why are there so many rats around the open land in Zonnebloem?
Open land with long grass, dumped waste and old drains gives rats food and shelter. Buildings nearby need sealed entry points and perimeter bait stations to keep them out.
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.
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.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254