Oranjezicht climbs right up to the edge of Table Mountain, so a lot of what comes into homes here walks in off the mountain.
Fleas in Oranjezicht homes
Oranjezicht dogs walk on the mountain trails, along the old reservoir paths and in De Waal Park, and many come home with fleas. In the older homes, flea larvae hide between floorboards and under rugs where the vacuum doesn't reach, so the problem keeps going even after the dog has been treated. Pigeons nesting on chimneys and in roof gaps bring a second biting pest, bird mites, which can bite people in homes with no pets at all.
We treat floors, rugs and the places pets sleep with a product that stops larvae developing, and bird proof chimneys and roof gaps if mites are behind the bites. Ask your vet to treat pets the same day.
What gives them away
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: 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.
Worth knowing
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.
How we handle flea control in Oranjezicht
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.
- Confirm it is fleas
We check the pets, bedding and floors and look at the bite pattern to rule out bed bugs or mites.
- Preparation
You vacuum every floor and couch, wash pet bedding and clear floors so the treatment can reach the carpet base.
- Treat pets at the vet
Your vet treats every dog and cat in the house so the source of new eggs stops.
- House treatment
We apply a growth regulator and residual spray to floors, furniture undersides, pet areas and shaded outdoor resting spots.
- Keep vacuuming
Regular vacuuming for the next two weeks stimulates pupae to hatch so they contact the treatment.
- Follow-up visit
Where needed, a second treatment catches the fleas that emerged after the first round.
Keeping them out afterwards
- 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.
- Keep every pet in the house on a vet-recommended flea product all year round, because heated homes keep fleas breeding through winter.
- Deal with rats or mice in the roof promptly, as their fleas can drop into the house.
- Keep the grass short and rake away leaf litter in shaded spots where the dog lies outside.
- Wash pet bedding on a hot cycle every week or two and vacuum the areas where pets sleep.
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.
Fleas breed fastest in warm, humid weather, so numbers rise from about October and peak through the hot Cape Town summer. Indoors they keep going all year because houses rarely get cold enough to stop them. We also see a spike in autumn when people return from holidays and the vibration of activity wakes up dormant pupae.
Questions we get asked in Oranjezicht
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.
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.
Can my dog bring fleas home from the mountain?
Yes. Regular vet treatment prevents most home infestations, and we treat the house if fleas get in.
Is there a guarantee?
Our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee, provided the pets are kept on vet flea treatment as advised.
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.
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.
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