Claremont is the Southern Suburbs' shopping and office hub, built around Cavendish Square, Main Road and the station, with leafy residential streets running up towards the mountain. Our work here swings between commercial kitchens and retail on one side and older family homes with big trees on the other.
Hygiene & disinfection in Claremont: what we see
Offices, gyms, medical rooms and schools in the area often ask for disinfection, especially in the winter flu months.
Being close to Newlands and the mountain, Claremont is one of the wetter parts of Cape Town in winter, so damp walls and soggy gardens are normal. Large oaks and plane trees line the streets, and Arderne Gardens holds an old collection of big trees. That green canopy feeds roof rats and grey squirrels and gives wasps sheltered nesting spots.
Upper Claremont has large older homes and newer cluster developments on generous, tree-filled plots, while the lower side near Main Road has flats, offices and shops packed close together. Big shopping centres and restaurant strips create the sort of food waste and service corridors rodents love. Older homes have wooden floors, sash windows and outbuildings that give pests plenty of hiding places.
Rats in the commercial area and roof rats in homes are the leading issues. German cockroaches cause trouble in restaurants and flats, while ants and fishmoths do well in damp older houses. Squirrels in roofs and pigeons around the shops are steady complaints.
A note from the field
Regular fogging is most useful where many people share the same space. In a home with two people, a good clean usually achieves just as much.
For landlords and agents, fogging between tenants is a simple way to hand over a clean, freshly treated unit, especially after a long vacancy.
How to tell you have a problem
- A room has been closed up for a long time and needs a hygiene reset before reuse.
- Vehicles carry different passengers and drivers through the day.
- You have had a pest or contamination issue and want the area disinfected after cleaning.
- You have a large open area with lots of surfaces that are slow to wipe down by hand.
- Spaces like gyms, classrooms or offices are shared by many people every day.
- Your business wants a documented periodic hygiene treatment.
Shared surfaces like door handles, desks, gym equipment and vehicle controls pick up germs from every hand that touches them. In busy workplaces and schools, that is how illness moves from person to person. Fogging without cleaning first is a common mistake, because disinfectant does not work well on surfaces covered in grime. Poorly done fogging with the wrong product or no re-entry time can also leave residues or irritate people who come back in too soon.
Our process, step by step
We use ULV foggers that produce a fine, controlled mist rather than drenching the room, so the disinfectant settles on surfaces without soaking them. Visible dirt should be cleaned off first, as fogging is meant to work alongside cleaning, not replace it. We choose a disinfectant suited to the space, with food-area products for kitchens and storerooms. Electronics are covered or switched off as needed, smoke detectors are taken into account, and the area is closed off during treatment. We then advise on the re-entry time and ventilation before people return.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our disinfectant fogging service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Keep up regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces between fogging treatments, as fogging does not replace day-to-day hygiene.
- Use fogging alongside pest control in food areas, not as a substitute for it.
- Tell us about fish tanks, birds or sensitive equipment in advance so we can plan around them.
- Clear desks and counters before treatment so the mist can reach the surfaces.
- Schedule fogging for weekends, holidays or after-hours so the space has time to air before people return.
How much will it cost?
The cost of fogging depends mainly on the size and volume of the space and how many rooms or vehicles are involved. Preparation needs, such as covering equipment or working around food areas, also affect the time on site. Regular fogging for businesses can be priced as a scheduled service rather than once-off visits.
Workplaces and schools often book fogging before the Cape winter, when people spend more time indoors with windows closed and colds and flu go around. School holidays and the December shutdown are popular times because buildings are empty. Fogging itself works in any season.
Frequently asked questions
Are the squirrels in Claremont roofs a pest problem?
They can be, because grey squirrels chew through roof boards and wiring once they get into a ceiling. We help by sealing entry points and trimming branches, so they stay in the trees instead of your roof.
Do you come out to Claremont for disinfectant fogging?
Yes. Claremont is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Newlands, Kenilworth, Harfield Village, Rondebosch. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Do Main Road restaurants bring rats into nearby Claremont homes?
Rats do move from busy food areas into nearby properties, especially along lanes and stormwater lines. Good waste control on the commercial side and sealing gaps at home cuts the problem down.
Can you fog vehicles?
Yes, cars, minibuses and fleet vehicles are fogged with the cabin closed, then aired before use.
Does fogging replace cleaning?
No. Surfaces should be cleaned of visible dirt first, then fogging disinfects them, including the hard-to-reach spots.
How long before we can go back into the room?
It depends on the product and the space, but usually a few hours. We will give you a specific re-entry time and ventilation advice on the day.
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