Clovelly is a small pocket squeezed between the mountain and the railway line on the way into Fish Hoek. Most calls here come from homes that back onto fynbos or the golf course, so a good share of what turns up indoors has walked in from the veld.
Clovelly: what drives hygiene & disinfection here
Requests come mainly from rental cottages and holiday lets between guests, plus sanitising a ceiling and cupboards after a rodent problem has been cleared.
Silvermine and the mountain sit directly behind you, the golf course fills the valley floor and False Bay is a stone's throw away. The Silvermine River reaches the sea here, and the low ground around its mouth stays wet after winter rain. Gardens on the slope are sheltered and damp, which suits millipedes, slugs and the insects that feed on them. In a dry summer, ants go looking for water inside.
Housing is mostly freestanding family homes, many stepped into the slope with retaining walls, split levels and sub-floor voids underneath. Older houses often still have timber floors and wooden window frames that have taken decades of salty air. Those voids under suspended floors and the gaps around old garage doors are exactly where mice settle in for winter. A few flats and townhouses closer to Main Road add the usual shared-bin and shared-roof issues.
What gives them away
- 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.
- A room has been closed up for a long time and needs a hygiene reset before reuse.
- Your business wants a documented periodic hygiene treatment.
- Vehicles carry different passengers and drivers through the day.
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.
A note from the field
For landlords and agents, fogging between tenants is a simple way to hand over a clean, freshly treated unit, especially after a long vacancy.
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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- 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.
- Use fogging alongside pest control in food areas, not as a substitute for it.
- Schedule fogging for weekends, holidays or after-hours so the space has time to air before people return.
- Ventilate well after the re-entry time has passed.
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.
Hardware store fogging cans exist, but most are insecticide bombs rather than disinfectant foggers, and they are not the same thing at all. For a single room, a careful clean with a good disinfectant does most of what you need. For offices, schools or fleets, professional ULV fogging is faster and more even, and we think it is worth it there.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Do you come out to Clovelly for disinfectant fogging?
Yes. Clovelly is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, St James, Sun Valley. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Why does my Clovelly house get more mosquitoes than friends in Fish Hoek?
Homes near the low ground where the Silvermine River meets the sea are close to standing water after rain. Clearing gutters and pot saucers helps, and we can treat resting spots in the garden if it is bad.
Does fogging replace cleaning?
No. Surfaces should be cleaned of visible dirt first, then fogging disinfects them, including the hard-to-reach spots.
Do rats in Clovelly really come down from the mountain?
Some do, especially in winter when the veld is cold and wet. Many are already living in compost heaps and under decks nearby, so we check the garden as well as the ceiling and deal with both.
Can you fog vehicles?
Yes, cars, minibuses and fleet vehicles are fogged with the cabin closed, then aired before use.
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