Steenberg covers two quite different places: the busy residential area near Retreat and Lavender Hill, and the wine estate and golf course on the mountain side. We work across both, and the pest problems differ a lot between them.
Steenberg: what drives crawling insects here
German cockroaches spread between closely built homes, while scorpions and rain spiders appear on the mountain side. Ants are everywhere in summer.
Near the railway and Steenberg station, homes are mainly older council houses, semis and flats, often with backyard rooms. Closer to the mountain, the estate side has newer, larger homes in security developments. Dense housing makes it easy for rodents and cockroaches to spread, while large estate homes deal more with mountain-edge pests. Shops and taxi ranks along the main roads add food sources.
Rats and German cockroaches dominate in the denser areas, while mice, ants and scorpions are more typical on the estate side. Mosquitoes and fleas are common in summer.
What gives them away
- 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 sheltering in the garage, under appliances or behind skirting boards.
- Small chewed holes in clothing, curtains or paper stored in damp places.
- Patches of grass that brown and die, and lift easily because the roots have been cut.
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.
Reducing crickets on a property can also reduce spiders and scorpions, which come in to hunt them. It is one of those cases where solving one small problem helps with another.
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.
- 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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Swap bright white outside lights for yellow or warm-coloured bulbs, which attract fewer insects.
- 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.
- Clear leaf litter, mulch, firewood and garden rubbish away from the walls of the house.
- Fit brush strips under exterior doors and garage doors so crickets cannot walk straight in.
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Do you come out to Steenberg for cricket control?
Yes. Steenberg is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Retreat, Lavender Hill, Tokai, Kirstenhof. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
Do you service both sides of Steenberg?
Yes, we cover the residential area near Retreat and the estates on the mountain side. Treatments are tailored to each type of home.
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.
Why do I find scorpions in my Steenberg estate home?
Homes near the mountain border fynbos and rocky ground where scorpions live. Sealing gaps under doors and clearing rock piles near the house helps.
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