St James is a narrow strip of grand old houses squeezed between the mountain and False Bay, best known for its colourful bathing boxes and tidal pool. With the mountain right behind and the sea in front, homes deal with damp, wind and wildlife all year.
St James: what drives crawling insects here
Fishmoths love damp cupboards and libraries in old houses, and spiders shelter in rockeries and walls. Ants trail in during dry weather.
Many homes are large Edwardian and Victorian houses on steep plots, with timber floors, wooden verandas and big roof spaces. There are also flats and newer homes higher up the slope. Steep sites, terraced gardens and stone retaining walls give rodents and spiders lots of hiding places. Old timber and damp sea air create ideal conditions for fishmoths and wood borer.
The suburb sits at the foot of the mountain in Table Mountain National Park, with the Main Road and railway line running along the coast. Sea spray, damp winters and the South-Easter in summer all play a part. Wildlife from the mountain, including baboons and rodents, comes right down to the gardens.
Something most people miss
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.
What gives them away
- Large numbers of crickets attracted to outside lights on warm nights.
- Crickets sheltering in the garage, under appliances or behind skirting boards.
- Loud chirping at night that stops as soon as you walk towards it.
- Raised, soft ridges and tunnels in the lawn, especially after watering.
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.
How the treatment works
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
- 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.
- Seal cracks in walls and around window frames, and check that airbricks have intact mesh.
- Fit brush strips under exterior doors and garage doors so crickets cannot walk straight in.
What affects the price
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
Will a treatment stop crickets coming indoors?
A perimeter treatment greatly reduces how many get in, especially combined with door seals and changes to outside lighting.
Why do I have so many fishmoths in my St James house?
Sea air and mountain damp keep old houses humid, and fishmoths love that. Drying out cupboards and a targeted treatment brings numbers down.
Do you come out to St James for cricket control?
Yes. St James is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Lakeside. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
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.
Can you inspect my old St James home for wood borer before I sell?
Yes, we inspect floors, roof timbers and verandas and give you a written report. Many sales need a beetle certificate, so book early.
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