Cricket Control for Newlands homes and businesses

Newlands sits on the wet side of Table Mountain under big oaks and pines, and that moisture drives a lot of what we see here. Squirrels in roofs, fishmoths in cupboards and borer in old timber are bread and butter for us in this suburb.

Crawling insects in Newlands: what we see

Fishmoths, silverfish and woodlice thrive in shaded, damp houses. Ants trail inside after rain, and rain spiders wander in during summer.

There is a real mix: large older homes on generous plots, Newlands Village cottages, newer cluster homes and apartment blocks closer to Main Road and the sports grounds. Many of the older houses have timber floors, wooden ceilings and roof spaces that stay cool and damp. Leafy gardens and big trees overhang roofs, giving squirrels and rats a direct route in. Some homes have thatch outbuildings or pergolas.

Newlands is one of the wettest suburbs in Cape Town, with Newlands Forest and the Table Mountain National Park slopes right above it and the Liesbeek running through. Winter rain is heavy and long, and many properties stay shaded and damp for months. Mountain streams and forest edges bring wildlife close to gardens.

What gives them away

1. Patches of grass that brown and die, and lift easily because the roots have been cut.
2. Small chewed holes in clothing, curtains or paper stored in damp places.
3. Loud chirping at night that stops as soon as you walk towards it.
4. Raised, soft ridges and tunnels in the lawn, especially after watering.

A note from the field

A common myth is that crickets are a sign of a dirty home. They are mostly drawn in by light, warmth and damp, and a spotless house with a gap under the patio door can have just as many.

What happens when we come out

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.

Want the full step-by-step? See how our cricket control service works.

Stopping a repeat visit

• Clear leaf litter, mulch, firewood and garden rubbish away from the walls of the house.
• Keep the garage and storeroom tidy and dry, since crickets love damp cardboard and clutter.
• Fit brush strips under exterior doors and garage doors so crickets cannot walk straight in.
• Seal cracks in walls and around window frames, and check that airbricks have intact mesh.
• Swap bright white outside lights for yellow or warm-coloured bulbs, which attract fewer insects.

How much will it cost?

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

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