Oranjezicht Fumigation

Oranjezicht climbs right up to the edge of Table Mountain, so a lot of what comes into homes here walks in off the mountain. Rats, squirrels, wasps and the odd scorpion are all part of living this close to the national park.

The local picture in Oranjezicht

Old pine floors, roof beams and built-in cupboards in Victorian and Edwardian homes are susceptible to borer. Beetle certificates are routine when these homes sell.

The suburb backs onto Table Mountain National Park, with mountain streams, the Molteno reservoir area and De Waal Park nearby. Winter rain runs off the mountain and keeps properties damp, while the South-Easter blows down hard in summer. Trees and greenbelts link gardens directly to the mountain.

Rats and squirrels moving in from the mountain are the most common issue. Wood borer in old timber, fishmoths in damp rooms and wasps in summer are regular calls. Ants come indoors in the dry, windy months.

From the technician

Businesses holding bulk food or feed often only call when a customer complains. Regular checks of the storeroom are much cheaper than losing a batch.

When we look at a piece of furniture, the first check is whether the holes are old or active. Fresh, pale dust under the piece means larvae are still at work.

Signs to look for

1. An heirloom or second-hand piece of furniture has live beetles or fresh frass coming out of it.
2. Fine powdery dust and small round holes are appearing on wooden furniture or beams, even after you have cleaned them.
3. A container or pallet load needs a treatment before it can be moved or accepted.
4. Pests are in a place you cannot reach with a spray, such as inside packed stock or solid timber.
5. Earlier surface treatments knocked the problem back but it returned within weeks.

How we handle fumigation in Oranjezicht

We start by confirming that fumigation is really needed, because a lot of jobs can be solved with a residual spray, a dust or an insect growth regulator instead. When gas is the right tool, the item or area is sealed under gas-proof sheeting or in an airtight room, the fumigant is introduced and the space is held closed for the required exposure time. Afterwards it is aired out and checked before anyone goes back in. For houses with crawling insects we use targeted gel baits, dusts and residual sprays, often with a ULV fogging pass for hard-to-reach voids. You get a written report after every treatment.

Want the full step-by-step? See how our fumigation service works.

Keeping them out afterwards

• Have bulk storage areas checked regularly so a small problem does not become a fumigation job.
• If you are buying an older property, include a beetle inspection in the transfer process.
• Inspect second-hand furniture for small exit holes and fine dust before bringing it into the house.
• Store grain, feed and dry goods in sealed containers and use the old stock first.
• Keep timber dry, because damp wood is far more attractive to borer beetles.

What affects the price

The price depends on whether you need gas fumigation or a standard treatment, and on the volume being treated. Sealing a whole structure or a full container takes more material and time than a single piece of furniture. Access, preparation work and any follow-up treatments are factored into the free quote.

Wood borer beetles emerge mainly in the warmer months from late spring into summer, so that is when people notice fresh holes and ask about fumigation. Stored product pests breed faster in the heat too, while cockroach and flea calls climb from October as the weather warms up.

Frequently asked questions

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