Clifton is a narrow strip of houses and bungalows clinging to the granite between Victoria Road and its four famous beaches. Access is mostly by long flights of stairs and pathways, which shapes how we work and how pests spread between properties packed onto the slope.
The local picture in Clifton
Bed bugs come in with luggage in holiday rentals, and occasional bird mites move in from nests under roof eaves. Quick inspections between bookings catch problems early.
Clifton is sheltered from the worst of the South-Easter by Lion's Head, which keeps it warmer and calmer than its neighbours. Salt spray, granite boulders and fynbos on the slopes above set the scene. Winter rain runs down the steep pathways and stairs, and still, hot summer days suit flies and ants.
Roof rats and mice in voids under houses and roofs are a common call. Ants and cockroaches follow food in holiday homes, and wood borer is a serious matter for timber bungalows. Gulls and pigeons are an ongoing irritation on decks and roofs.
What gives them away
- Black, pepper-like specks in pet fur or bedding that turn reddish when pressed on damp white paper.
- Pale specks and debris in the corners of the dog basket or along the edges of rugs.
- Bites appearing in a house that has been empty for a while, or just after moving in.
- Pets scratching, biting at their back or losing fur near the base of the tail.
- Itchy bites in small clusters around the ankles and lower legs.
- Tiny dark insects jumping onto white socks when you walk across the carpet.
From the technician
People often say fleas cannot survive without a pet in the house. Adult fleas need a host, but pupae can sit in a carpet for weeks or months and hatch the moment they sense someone walking past.
The first thing a technician checks on a flea call is where the animals sleep. That spot, inside or outside, usually has the highest number of larvae and needs the most attention.
Our process, step by step
A proper flea job hits every life stage, not just the adults. We use an insect growth regulator, which stops eggs and larvae developing into breeding adults, together with a residual insecticide on carpets, floors, under furniture and around pet resting places, both inside and in sheltered outdoor spots. Before we arrive, you vacuum thoroughly, wash pet bedding hot and lift items off the floor so the product reaches where the larvae live. The pets must be treated by your vet on the same day or just before, otherwise new fleas keep arriving. Because pupae are protected in their cocoons, we often book a follow-up treatment a couple of weeks later to catch the late hatchers.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our flea control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Wash pet bedding on a hot cycle every week or two and vacuum the areas where pets sleep.
- Deal with rats or mice in the roof promptly, as their fleas can drop into the house.
- Before moving into a rental or newly bought home, ask whether the previous occupants had pets, and consider a treatment before the furniture goes in.
- Discourage stray cats from sleeping under the house, on the stoep or in the garage.
- Keep every pet in the house on a vet-recommended flea product all year round, because heated homes keep fleas breeding through winter.
How much will it cost?
The main factors are the size of the house, how much carpet and soft furnishing there is, and whether outdoor areas need treating as well. A heavy infestation in a multi-pet home will usually need a follow-up visit, which we include in the quote. Preparation on your side makes a big difference to how well a single treatment works, and we give a free quote upfront.
If you have one pet and caught it early, a good vet product plus serious vacuuming and washing will often sort it out. Once you have fleas jumping on people and multiple rooms involved, foggers and shop sprays rarely reach the larvae in carpet bases, and a professional treatment with a growth regulator is the faster route. Either way, the house treatment fails if the animals are not treated by the vet at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a guarantee?
Our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee, provided the pets are kept on vet flea treatment as advised.
Can fleas live on people?
Cat fleas bite people but do not live on us; they need a furry host to breed. If there is no pet in the house, a rodent problem or a previous occupant's animal is usually the source.
How do you get equipment down to Clifton homes with only stair access?
We carry what we need by hand and plan the visit around the stairs and pathways. Let us know the access route when you book so we can bring the right kit.
Should I vacuum after the treatment?
Yes, but wait until the day after. Vacuuming encourages pupae to hatch and removes eggs, and it does not undo the treatment.
Is wood borer a big issue for Clifton bungalows?
It can be, because many bungalows are built from timber that stays damp from sea air. A yearly inspection catches beetle activity early and keeps the structure sound.
Do you come out to Clifton for flea control?
Yes. Clifton is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Atlantic Seaboard, Sea Point. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254