Out in Kommetjie, the fynbos comes right up to the garden wall and the Atlantic is never more than a few streets away. That means more scorpions, field mice and borer in timber than rats and cockroaches, which is the opposite of what we see in town.
The local picture in Kommetjie
Scorpions and rain spiders come in from the fynbos, and ants are common in sandy gardens. Fishmoths like the damp in coastal homes.
Plenty of homes are timber-framed or have big timber decks, thatched roofs or lapas, and some started life as holiday cottages. Newer houses are set back in the dunes on sandy plots. Salt and damp wear down timber and paint quickly, and once wood is weathered it is easier for borer to get going.
Mice and rats from the fynbos, scorpions and spiders, and wood borer in timber homes are typical. Mosquitoes near the wetlands and fleas from pets are also common.
What gives them away
- Brown oval egg cases are tucked into hinges, under drawers or behind the stove.
- Ant trails run from a crack in the floor or wall to the dog bowl, sugar bowl or dishwasher.
- Crickets chirp loudly from inside the house at night but go quiet when you get close.
- Dead insects collect on window sills, in light fittings or along the bottom of the garage door.
- There is a faint musty, oily smell in a cupboard that has not been opened for a while.
- Cockroaches dart away when you switch on the kitchen or bathroom light at night.
Worth knowing
One of the most common mistakes is spraying insecticide over ant bait. It contaminates the bait and the ants stop feeding on it, so the colony survives.
Fishmoths are often a sign of damp more than dirt. If you keep finding them in the same bathroom or cupboard, it is worth checking for a slow leak or poor ventilation.
How we handle crawling insect control in Kommetjie
Crawling insects walk through treated areas and carry baits back to their nests, which is exactly why baits and dusts work so well on them. We use gel baits in cracks and hinges for cockroaches and slow-acting ant baits that the workers take home to the queen. Insect growth regulators stop young cockroaches from maturing and breeding, which matters for German cockroaches that multiply fast. Residual sprays are applied as a barrier along entry points, door thresholds and drain areas rather than across open floors. Dusts go into wall voids, ceiling spaces and plug points where liquids should not be used.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our crawling insect control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Put drain covers or mesh over floor drains and keep the water traps full, especially in guest bathrooms that are seldom used.
- Check second-hand furniture, appliances and cardboard boxes before bringing them inside, as German cockroaches often move house this way.
- Move firewood, compost and piles of bricks away from the house walls.
- Store books and documents in sealed plastic boxes in dry rooms rather than in damp garages.
- Seal gaps under exterior doors with a brush strip, because most crawling insects simply walk in.
How much will it cost?
Cost is driven by the species and how established the infestation is, with German cockroaches in a busy kitchen usually needing more work than a one-off ant trail. The size of the property, the number of units or rooms affected, and access to roof spaces and drains also matter. Where a follow-up treatment is needed to catch hatching insects, or where a business wants a regular service contract, we build that into a free quote upfront.
Shop-bought ant baits can handle a small, new trail and are worth a try. For cockroaches, especially German cockroaches, DIY sprays usually make things worse by scattering them and killing only the adults while the egg cases hatch. In flats and food businesses, I would not bother with DIY at all.
Crawling Insect Control questions from Kommetjie
Do I need to empty my kitchen cupboards?
For a cockroach treatment, it helps to clear the cupboards under the sink and around the stove so the technician can reach the cracks. We will tell you exactly what to move when you book.
Is the treatment safe around food?
We use gel baits and targeted applications in cracks rather than spraying food areas. Food should be covered or put away during treatment, and we will explain what to wipe down afterwards.
Do you come out to Kommetjie for crawling insect control?
Yes. Kommetjie is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Noordhoek, Scarborough. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can crawling insects come from my neighbour?
Yes, particularly in flats, townhouses and semi-detached homes that share walls, drains and roof spaces. Treating several units together gives much better results.
Are scorpions common in Kommetjie homes?
Yes, the fynbos and sandy soil suit them, and they come inside looking for shelter. Treating the perimeter and sealing gaps under doors reduces how many get in.
Do thatched homes in Kommetjie need borer treatment?
They should be checked regularly, especially before a sale. We can inspect thatch and timber and treat any active borer.
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