Out in Kommetjie, the fynbos comes right up to the garden wall and the Atlantic is never more than a few streets away. That means more scorpions, field mice and borer in timber than rats and cockroaches, which is the opposite of what we see in town.
The local picture in Kommetjie
Field mice and striped mice move from the fynbos into homes in winter. Rats are less common than in town but do show up near bins and compost.
The village is surrounded by coastal fynbos, dunes and the Slangkop area of Table Mountain National Park, with wetlands and vleis between Kommetjie and Noordhoek. The Atlantic brings cold, salty winds, and winter is wet. Nature reserves and open land on all sides mean plenty of wildlife moving through.
Plenty of homes are timber-framed or have big timber decks, thatched roofs or lapas, and some started life as holiday cottages. Newer houses are set back in the dunes on sandy plots. Salt and damp wear down timber and paint quickly, and once wood is weathered it is easier for borer to get going.
Mice and rats from the fynbos, scorpions and spiders, and wood borer in timber homes are typical. Mosquitoes near the wetlands and fleas from pets are also common.
Worth knowing
A common myth is that a clean house cannot get insects. Cleanliness helps, but ants follow moisture as much as food, and a spotless kitchen with a slow leak under the sink can still have a busy trail.
How to tell you have a problem
- Insects appear right after a cold front or heavy rain, which tells us they are coming in from the garden for shelter.
- You keep finding the same type of insect in one room, which usually points to a nearby source rather than a random visitor.
- Pantry goods have webbing, clumped grain or small beetles or moths flying out when you open them.
- Small dark droppings that look like ground pepper collect in cupboard corners or behind the fridge.
- Trails of ants run along skirting boards, plug points or window frames towards food or moisture.
How the treatment works
We start with the least-toxic option that will actually work, which often means gel baits and bait stations for ants and cockroaches rather than blanket spraying. Insect growth regulators are useful where we need to break a breeding cycle, for example with fleas or a stubborn cockroach population. Residual sprays go into specific cracks, voids and entry points, not across open floors where children and pets walk. Dusts are used in wall voids, roof spaces and electrical areas where liquids are not safe. We use eco-friendly and odourless products wherever we can, and every job ends with a post-treatment report.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our insect control service works.
Prevention that actually works
- Empty pet bowls at night and wipe up crumbs around the dog or cat feeding area.
- Clear gutters and drains before winter so water does not pool against walls and attract breeding insects.
- Fix dripping taps and leaking geysers quickly, as most indoor insects need a reliable water source.
- Keep dry goods in sealed glass or hard plastic containers rather than the paper or plastic bags they came in.
- Seal gaps around pipes under sinks and behind appliances, because these are the highways insects use between rooms.
How much will it cost?
The price depends mainly on which insect you have and how established it is, since a few ants in one kitchen is a very different job from cockroaches in every unit of a block. Property size, how easy it is to reach roof spaces and voids, and whether follow-up visits are needed to break a breeding cycle all play a part. Businesses that want regular scheduled visits on a contract usually get better value than paying for repeated once-off call-outs, and the quote is always free.
Cape Town's insect calendar is fairly predictable. Ants, flies and wasps build up from spring and peak in the hot, dry summer months, while the first big winter rains push ants, cockroaches and crickets indoors looking for dry shelter. Fishmoths and pantry pests are year-round problems because they live inside where the temperature stays stable.
Insect Control questions from Kommetjie
Do I need to leave the house during an insect treatment?
Usually not for very long. Gel baits and bait stations need no vacating at all, and for residual sprays we will tell you how long to keep children and pets out of the treated area, which is typically until it has dried.
Do thatched homes in Kommetjie need borer treatment?
They should be checked regularly, especially before a sale. We can inspect thatch and timber and treat any active borer.
Are scorpions common in Kommetjie homes?
Yes, the fynbos and sandy soil suit them, and they come inside looking for shelter. Treating the perimeter and sealing gaps under doors reduces how many get in.
Can you tell what insect I have from a photo?
In most cases, yes. Send a clear close-up on WhatsApp to 021 012 5825 and we can usually identify it and tell you whether it needs treatment at all.
Do you come out to Kommetjie for insect control?
Yes. Kommetjie is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Noordhoek, Scarborough. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Why do I still see insects after the treatment?
Seeing some activity for a week or two is normal, especially with baits, because the insects need to feed on the product and carry it back to the nest. If numbers are not dropping clearly after that, let us know.
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