Sea Point packs a lot into a narrow strip between Lion's Head and the promenade: tall blocks of flats, old Victorian homes, and a non-stop run of restaurants on Main and Regent roads. Most of our work here is in apartments and food businesses.
The local picture in Sea Point
German cockroaches spread through blocks via kitchens and shared ducts, and American cockroaches come up from drains. Ants appear in hot weather.
High-rise and mid-rise blocks dominate, many built in the 1960s and 1970s with shared refuse rooms and service ducts. There are also older Victorian and Edwardian homes and a growing number of short-term rentals. Cockroaches and bed bugs spread between flats through ducts and with guests' luggage. Restaurants and takeaways along the main roads need ongoing commercial control.
German cockroaches and bed bugs are the top issues in flats and rentals. Rats around refuse areas and restaurants come next. Pigeons on balconies are a constant headache.
Signs to look for
- Silvery, fast-moving insects are seen when you lift boxes, books or linen.
- Fishmoths drop from the ceiling or come out of light fittings and cornices, a sign they are living in the roof space.
- Clothing, curtains or linen made from cotton, linen or silk have small holes or thinned patches.
- Wallpaper is lifting or damaged along the edges where the glue has been eaten.
- Yellowish stains or tiny pepper-like droppings are left on paper and shelves.
From the technician
Many people think fishmoths only eat paper. They also go after the glue in wallpaper and book bindings, starch in fabrics, and even dried food crumbs and dead insects in cupboards.
Fishmoths can live for several years and can survive months without food. That is why a single wipe-down does not work and why treatments that keep working in cracks are so useful.
How the treatment works
Fishmoths often live in roof spaces, wall voids and behind cornices, so a fine insecticidal dust blown into the ceiling void is one of our most effective tools. Inside, we apply a targeted residual treatment into cracks, cupboard corners, skirting gaps and behind bookshelves rather than spraying open surfaces. Fishmoths are long-lived and lay eggs in hidden cracks, so treatments that keep working for a while are more useful than a quick knockdown. We pair the treatment with advice on damp, ventilation and storage, because changing the conditions is what stops them coming back.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our fishmoth control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Avoid stacking old newspapers, magazines and cardboard boxes in cupboards for long periods.
- Improve ventilation in bathrooms and laundries with an extractor fan or by keeping a window open after showers.
- Vacuum regularly inside cupboards, along skirting boards and behind furniture to remove eggs and food sources.
- Fix leaks under basins, around geysers and in the roof, since fishmoths need moisture.
- Store books, documents and photographs in sealed plastic boxes, not cardboard, especially in garages and storerooms.
What affects the price
The price depends on the size of the property, how many rooms and cupboards are affected, and whether the roof space needs to be treated. Easy access to the ceiling void keeps the job simpler, while a home with lots of built-in cupboards and shelves takes more time. Offices, archives and storerooms with large amounts of paper are quoted separately, and every quote is free.
Fishmoths are active all year because they live indoors, but Cape Town's damp winters make them more noticeable as moisture rises in roofs, walls and cupboards. Grey silverfish in the roof space may become more visible in summer when the ceiling heats up and pushes them down into the rooms below.
Questions we get asked in Sea Point
Do you come out to Sea Point for fishmoth control?
Yes. Sea Point is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Fresnaye, Bantry Bay, Three Anchor Bay, Green Point. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
How do you deal with bed bugs in a Sea Point short-term rental?
We treat all affected rooms and furniture and give you a prep list and report. Booking a quick turnaround between guests is possible on request.
Why are fishmoths falling from my ceiling?
That usually means there is a population in the roof space. Treating the ceiling void with a dust is the most effective way to deal with it.
Can you stop pigeons nesting on my Sea Point balcony?
Yes, we fit bird netting and spikes on balconies, ledges and aircon units. Check with your body corporate first, as some blocks have rules about what can be installed.
How long does a fishmoth treatment last?
Our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee. Fixing damp and changing storage habits makes the result last much longer.
Do fishmoths mean I have damp?
Often, yes. Common silverfish in particular need high humidity, so seeing them regularly in one room is a good reason to check for leaks or poor ventilation.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254