Schotsche Kloof is the upper, steeper part of the Bo-Kaap, climbing toward Signal Hill. Homes are close together and families have often lived here for generations, so we work with households who know their neighbours and their pest history well.
Hygiene & disinfection around Schotsche Kloof
Mosques, community centres and crèches in the area often book disinfection, and fogging of shared spaces in the flats helps after outbreaks.
The area sits on the lower slopes of Signal Hill, which brings strong South-Easter winds and run-off in winter. The hillside's open veld and brush shelter rodents, and stormwater can carry debris down the slopes. Winters are wet and summers hot and windy.
There's a mix of older flat-roofed terraced cottages, newer renovations and the large blocks of council flats that the area is known for. Shared walls and flat roofs make it easy for rats and cockroaches to move from home to home. In the flats, cockroaches and bed bugs travel through service ducts and shared refuse areas. Renovated homes sometimes trap old pest problems inside new walls.
Rats and German cockroaches are the most common calls, especially in the flats. Bed bugs and fleas appear in crowded homes. Pigeons are a constant on rooftops.
Something most people miss
Fogging works best on clean surfaces. If grime is left on a desk, the disinfectant has to fight through it first, which is why we always ask for a clean before we fog.
How to tell you have a problem
- You have had a pest or contamination issue and want the area disinfected after cleaning.
- Your business wants a documented periodic hygiene treatment.
- Spaces like gyms, classrooms or offices are shared by many people every day.
- Vehicles carry different passengers and drivers through the day.
- A room has been closed up for a long time and needs a hygiene reset before reuse.
- You have a large open area with lots of surfaces that are slow to wipe down by hand.
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.
What happens when we come out
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
- Keep up regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces between fogging treatments, as fogging does not replace day-to-day hygiene.
- Schedule fogging for weekends, holidays or after-hours so the space has time to air before people return.
- Use fogging alongside pest control in food areas, not as a substitute for it.
- Ventilate well after the re-entry time has passed.
- Clear desks and counters before treatment so the mist can reach the surfaces.
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
Can you do it after hours?
Yes, after-hours and weekend visits are available on request, which is how most businesses book it.
Do you come out to Schotsche Kloof for disinfectant fogging?
Yes. Schotsche Kloof is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Bo-Kaap, Malay Quarter, Tamboerskloof, City Bowl. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can you treat our whole block of flats for cockroaches?
Yes, treating a whole block at once is the most effective approach. We'll plan the visit with residents and leave a post-treatment report.
Do the rats in Schotsche Kloof come down from Signal Hill?
Some do, especially in winter. But most rat problems here are fed by shared refuse areas, so keeping bins sealed and treating as a block makes the biggest difference.
Can you fog vehicles?
Yes, cars, minibuses and fleet vehicles are fogged with the cabin closed, then aired before use.
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.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
