Delft is one of Cape Town's more densely built areas, with families living close together and many extra rooms built onto the back of houses. Most calls here are about rats, cockroaches and fleas, and the best results come from treating a few neighbouring homes together.
Biting insects in Delft: what we see
Fleas from dogs and cats are probably the most common biting complaint. Bed bugs move easily where beds are shared or furniture changes hands, and both pests need home and pets treated together.
Delft lies on flat, sandy ground near Cape Town International Airport and the N2. The South-Easter blows sand and litter across open ground all summer, and in winter some streets become waterlogged when stormwater drains block. Vacant land around the edges gives rodents cover.
How to tell you have a problem
- Tiny dark insects jumping onto white socks when you walk across the carpet.
- 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.
Flea bites cause intense itching and many people and pets develop allergic dermatitis that leads to broken skin and infection. Fleas carry the dog and cat tapeworm, which pets pick up by swallowing infected fleas while grooming. Heavy infestations can cause anaemia in puppies, kittens and older animals. For rental properties and holiday lets, a flea problem left by previous occupants is a common source of complaints.
From the technician
Vacuuming is not a chore you can skip after a flea treatment. The vibration triggers pupae to hatch and walk across the treated surfaces, which is exactly what you want.
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.
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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Discourage stray cats from sleeping under the house, on the stoep or in the garage.
- Deal with rats or mice in the roof promptly, as their fleas can drop into the house.
- Keep every pet in the house on a vet-recommended flea product all year round, because heated homes keep fleas breeding through winter.
- Keep the grass short and rake away leaf litter in shaded spots where the dog lies outside.
- 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.
Pricing, honestly
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.
Flea Control questions from Delft
How soon can the pets come back in?
Once the treated surfaces are completely dry, usually after a few hours. We will confirm on the day based on the products used.
My children are getting bites at night in Delft. Is it fleas or bed bugs?
Bites around the ankles usually point to fleas, while rows of bites on arms, neck or back point to bed bugs. WhatsApp us a photo of any insect you find and we will help identify it.
Can you treat my whole row of houses in Delft for rats at once?
Yes, and it works better that way. Send us the addresses and we will give a free quote for treating the properties together.
Do you come out to Delft for flea control?
Yes. Delft is part of our regular Cape Flats route, along with Belhar, Bishop Lavis, Kuils River, Nyanga. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Why do I still see fleas after the treatment?
Pupae in their cocoons are protected and keep hatching for up to two or three weeks, and those new fleas then die on contact with the treated surfaces. Keep vacuuming, and call us if numbers are not dropping after that period.
Do you treat my dog or cat?
No, pets must be treated by your vet. We treat the house and garden, and both need to happen together for the job to work.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254