Bishop Lavis sits close to Cape Town International Airport and Robert Sobukwe Road (the old Modderdam Road). It is densely built with flats, semis and backyard dwellings, and most pest problems here come from crowding, shared walls and waste that piles up between collections.
Bishop Lavis: what drives crawling insects here
German cockroaches are in most flats and shops, while American cockroaches come up from drains. Ants and crickets live in the sand around houses.
Housing is mostly council flats, semi-detached houses and backyard structures added over the years. Shared walls and roofs mean cockroaches and mice move easily between homes. Backyard rooms often have gaps at the walls and roof where rats can get in.
Signs to look for
- Birds and hadedas probing the lawn intensively, which is often a sign of mole crickets or other insects underneath.
- Large numbers of crickets attracted to outside lights on warm nights.
- Small chewed holes in clothing, curtains or paper stored in damp places.
- Loud chirping at night that stops as soon as you walk towards it.
- Crickets sheltering in the garage, under appliances or behind skirting boards.
Crickets do not bite people or spread disease in any meaningful way. Indoors, the main issues are lost sleep, droppings and small amounts of damage to fabrics, carpets and stored paper. Mole crickets are a bigger problem for property, because their tunnels cut grass roots and can damage lawns, sports fields and seedlings badly. Large numbers of crickets attracted to lights also draw in spiders and geckos, and sometimes scorpions.
From the technician
Crickets sometimes damage stored clothing, curtains and cardboard in damp outbuildings. If you use a garage or storeroom for storage, dry it out and box things in plastic.
Mole crickets are often blamed on lawn grubs or dry patches, and people keep watering a lawn that is actually being cut from below. The soap water test is a cheap way to find out.
Our process, step by step
Indoors, we focus on finding where the crickets are coming in and hiding, then apply a residual treatment to entry points, door thresholds, garage edges and other hiding spots. Granular baits can be used around the perimeter of the house to reduce numbers before they reach the walls. For mole crickets, the lawn is treated with a targeted product and watered in so it reaches the tunnels, and timing matters because young mole crickets near the surface are easier to control. We use the least-toxic effective option and avoid spraying open living areas.
- Identify the cricket
Field crickets, house crickets and mole crickets behave differently and need different treatments.
- Locate entry and shelter
We look at door gaps, garage doors, airbricks and cluttered areas where crickets hide during the day.
- Treat the perimeter
A residual barrier and, where useful, granular bait go around the outside of the house and entry points.
- Treat the lawn
For mole crickets, the affected areas of lawn are treated and watered in so the product reaches the tunnels.
- Report and advice
You get a post-treatment report with tips on lighting, sealing and garden habits that reduce numbers.
Prevention that actually works
- Seal cracks in walls and around window frames, and check that airbricks have intact mesh.
- Keep the garage and storeroom tidy and dry, since crickets love damp cardboard and clutter.
- Water the lawn deeply but less often, as constantly damp soil suits mole crickets.
- Swap bright white outside lights for yellow or warm-coloured bulbs, which attract fewer insects.
- Clear leaf litter, mulch, firewood and garden rubbish away from the walls of the house.
Pricing, honestly
The cost depends on whether it is an indoor nuisance, a lawn problem or both, and on the size of the property and garden. A large lawn with widespread mole cricket damage takes more product and time than a perimeter treatment for a house. Follow-up treatments, if needed to catch a second generation, are included in a free quote upfront.
Field crickets are loudest and most noticeable in the warm months from late spring through summer. They often move indoors in autumn as the nights cool down and the first rains arrive. Mole cricket damage to lawns shows up most in spring and summer when they are active near the surface.
Frequently asked questions
Do crickets attract other pests?
Yes, large numbers of crickets can draw in spiders, geckos and sometimes scorpions, which feed on them. Reducing crickets often reduces those too.
Do you come out to Bishop Lavis for cricket control?
Yes. Bishop Lavis is part of our regular Cape Flats route, along with Bonteheuwel, Elsies River, Belhar, Delft. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Are crickets harmful?
No, crickets do not bite people or carry disease to any real extent. The problems are noise, minor damage to fabric and paper, and lawn damage from mole crickets.
Why can I never find the chirping cricket?
Crickets stop chirping when they sense vibration or movement nearby, and the sound bounces off walls, which makes it hard to pinpoint. Turning off lights and moving slowly helps.
How do I stop cockroaches spreading between flats in Bishop Lavis?
Treat as many neighbouring units as possible at the same time, because German cockroaches move through shared walls and pipes. Keeping food sealed and dishes washed overnight makes the treatment last longer.
Does being near the airport bring more rats into Bishop Lavis?
The open land around the airport and highways does give rats room to breed, so homes on the edges see more activity. Perimeter baiting and closing gaps under doors keeps them out.
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