Ask a Capetonian about the Southern Suburbs and they will picture oak-lined avenues, the mountain looming over Newlands and the rain that rolls in off it in winter. Those same oaks, gardens and wet months are why squirrels, rats, ants and wood borer make up so much of our work between Rondebosch and Constantia.
Cricket Control by suburb
We cover all 29 suburbs on our Southern Suburbs route. Each suburb page covers what we find there and what works for those streets and buildings.
- BergvlietCricket Control
- BishopscourtCricket Control
- ClaremontCricket Control
- ConstantiaCricket Control
- Diep RiverCricket Control
- Harfield VillageCricket Control
- HeathfieldCricket Control
- KenilworthCricket Control
- KenwynCricket Control
- KirstenhofCricket Control
- KreupelboschCricket Control
- LansdowneCricket Control
- MeadowridgeCricket Control
- MowbrayCricket Control
- NdabeniCricket Control
- NewlandsCricket Control
- ObservatoryCricket Control
- OtteryCricket Control
- PinelandsCricket Control
- PlumsteadCricket Control
- RetreatCricket Control
- RondeboschCricket Control
- Rondebosch EastCricket Control
- RosebankCricket Control
- Salt RiverCricket Control
- SouthfieldCricket Control
- SteenbergCricket Control
- TokaiCricket Control
- WynbergCricket Control
The local picture in Southern Suburbs
Argentine ants run long trails into kitchens and bathrooms in summer, often from the garden beds along the house. Fishmoths thrive in damp built-in cupboards and bookshelves, and rain spiders wander in from the garden.
The housing spans Victorian semis in Rondebosch and Claremont, big Edwardian and mid-century family homes in Newlands and Bishopscourt, student digs near UCT, blocks of flats around Wynberg and Claremont, and old farm-style homesteads and estates in Constantia. Many older homes have suspended timber floors, deep roof voids and outbuildings that rodents and squirrels quickly claim. Thatched roofs and gabled homesteads in Constantia bring their own timber and rodent issues.
This side of Table Mountain catches far more rain than the rest of the city, and Newlands is among the wettest suburbs in Cape Town. Kirstenbosch, Newlands Forest and the mountain slopes border the upper edge, while the Liesbeek River winds through Newlands and Rondebosch toward the Black River. Winter damp encourages fishmoths and borer, and the canopy of oaks and pines keeps grey squirrels well supplied.
Grey squirrels and roof rats in ceilings are the classic Southern Suburbs complaint, especially in autumn and winter. Argentine ants surge indoors when it gets hot and dry, and fishmoths love the damp. Wood borer is a constant concern in older homes, and mosquitoes breed in gutters and water features after rain.
Tell-tale signs
- Loud chirping at night that stops as soon as you walk towards it.
- Small chewed holes in clothing, curtains or paper stored in damp places.
- Crickets sheltering in the garage, under appliances or behind skirting boards.
- Raised, soft ridges and tunnels in the lawn, especially after watering.
A note from the field
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.
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.
Prevention that actually works
- 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.
- Seal cracks in walls and around window frames, and check that airbricks have intact mesh.
- 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.
One cricket behind the fridge is a job for a torch and a glass, not a pest control company. If crickets keep coming in night after night, or your lawn is lifting with tunnels, a professional perimeter or lawn treatment will save you a lot of frustration. Buying lawn insecticide and guessing the timing often wastes money.
Cricket Control questions from Southern Suburbs
Is the lawn treatment safe for pets?
We use a targeted product and water it in. Keep pets off the treated area until it has dried, and we will give you specific guidance on the day.
How do I get grey squirrels out of my roof in the Southern Suburbs?
The first step is finding and sealing every entry point once the squirrels are out, usually along fascias near trees. We can inspect your roof and advise on proofing and safe removal.
What is damaging my lawn with tunnels?
If you see raised ridges and spongy patches with dying grass, mole crickets are a likely cause. Flood a patch with soapy water and they often come to the surface, which confirms it.
Do you come out to Southern Suburbs for cricket control?
Yes. Southern Suburbs is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Wynberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Do I need a beetle certificate to sell an old house in the Southern Suburbs?
In most sales, yes, it is a condition of the deed of sale. Older homes with timber floors and roof beams are inspected closely, so it is worth checking before you list.
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.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
