Cricket Control Zonnebloem

Zonnebloem covers much of what was District Six, between the city centre and Woodstock, with the CPUT campus at its centre. Today it is a mix of campus buildings, newer housing and open land, and that combination gives pests plenty of room.

Crawling insects around Zonnebloem

German cockroaches spread in residence kitchens and shared bathrooms, while ants trail in from the open land. Fishmoths damage books and papers in older buildings.

The CPUT campus, student residences, schools, churches and mosques sit alongside newer housing developments and older homes. Open land left after the forced removals still surrounds parts of the area. Student residences and shared housing see a quick turnover of occupants, which can bring in bed bugs and cockroaches.

The area sits on the slope below Devil's Peak, with De Waal Drive and the Eastern Boulevard nearby. Open land attracts rodents and dumping, and winter rains turn some patches muddy. The South-Easter blows litter across the open spaces in summer.

Rats from the open land and old drains are the main concern. German cockroaches and bed bugs show up in residences and shared housing. Pigeons roost on campus and institutional buildings.

Something most people miss

Crickets are not dangerous to children or pets, so there is no need to panic or use strong products indoors. A perimeter treatment keeps the products outside, away from living areas.

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 gives them away

1. Loud chirping at night that stops as soon as you walk towards it.
2. Small chewed holes in clothing, curtains or paper stored in damp places.
3. Large numbers of crickets attracted to outside lights on warm nights.
4. Patches of grass that brown and die, and lift easily because the roots have been cut.

How we handle cricket control in Zonnebloem

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

• Fit brush strips under exterior doors and garage doors so crickets cannot walk straight in.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Questions we get asked in Zonnebloem

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