Goodwood straddles Voortrekker Road, with older family homes on the quiet streets and shops, workshops and takeaways on the main drag. We get a fair split between householders with mice in the roof and businesses fighting cockroaches.
Biting insects in Goodwood: what we see
Fleas with pets are common, and bed bugs show up in flats and after second-hand furniture purchases.
The area is flat and fairly built-up, sitting between the N1 and the railway line. Summers get hot and dry once you move inland from the coast, and winters are wet and cold. Open ground near the railway and the N1 lets rodents move about.
Residential streets are lined with post-war freestanding homes, many with tiled roofs, outside rooms and big backyards. Voortrekker Road and the streets off it carry shops, motor workshops, takeaways and flats above businesses. Older homes often have suspended timber floors and old roof timbers. Larger venues and the showgrounds bring crowds and food stalls when events are on.
What gives them away
- Swarms in the evening near a water feature, drain or neglected pool.
- Wriggling larvae, sometimes called wigglers, in pond edges, buckets, bird baths or pool covers.
- Small dark mosquitoes resting on shaded walls, under the eaves or behind curtains during the day.
- Day-time bites on the ankles while sitting in the garden, which points to Aedes breeding nearby.
Something most people miss
The south-easter is not all bad news. Mosquitoes struggle to fly in strong wind, so windy Cape Town days are often bite-free, and the worst nights come when the wind drops.
Electric bug zappers attract plenty of insects, but studies have shown that very few of them are mosquitoes. Screens and source reduction do far more.
How we handle mosquito control in Goodwood
Source reduction always comes first: we walk the property and find every place water collects, from gutters and drains to ponds, water features, plant saucers and covered pools, and tell you which ones to empty, fix or cover. Water that cannot be removed, such as ponds and drains, can be treated with a larvicide or insect growth regulator that stops larvae becoming adults. Adult mosquitoes rest in cool, shaded places during the day, so we apply a residual spray to the undersides of shrubs, hedges, eaves, patio ceilings and other resting areas. For events or heavy problems, ULV fogging can knock down adult numbers quickly, but it only works properly when combined with dealing with the breeding sites.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our mosquito control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Keep pool water circulating and treated, and drain the water that collects on top of pool covers.
- Fit mosquito screens to bedroom windows and use a net over cots in summer.
- Store old tyres, tins and containers under cover or throw them away.
- Stock ornamental ponds with small fish that eat larvae, and keep water features running.
- Clean gutters after winter so they do not hold water through summer.
Pricing, honestly
Cost depends on the size of the property, how many breeding sites there are and whether larger water bodies such as ponds or drains need treating. A once-off treatment is priced differently from a programme of visits through the summer season. Fogging for an event is quoted on the size of the area, and the quote itself is free.
Most mosquito problems on a normal suburban property can be cut dramatically by the owner just by emptying standing water every week. Plug-in repellents and sprays help you sleep, but they do nothing about where the mosquitoes come from. Call a professional when the breeding site is something you cannot fix yourself, like a large pond, a blocked drain or a neighbouring property, or when you need numbers down for an event.
Frequently asked questions
Do you come out to Goodwood for mosquito control?
Yes. Goodwood is part of our regular Northern Suburbs route, along with Parow, Elsies River, Epping, Thornton. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can you treat before a wedding or function?
Yes. We usually inspect beforehand, deal with breeding sites and then fog or spray resting areas shortly before the event.
Why do I hear scratching in my Goodwood ceiling at night?
It is usually roof rats or mice, which are active at night. Check for droppings in the roof, and send us a photo on WhatsApp so we can confirm what you're dealing with.
Why are there so many mosquitoes this summer?
Usually because a wet winter left more standing water, or a breeding site has developed close by, such as a blocked gutter or an untreated pond.
Can you do regular cockroach control for my Voortrekker Road takeaway?
Yes. We can set up a regular service with after-hours visits on request, and a post-treatment report after each visit.
Is there a malaria risk in Cape Town?
No, the Western Cape is not a malaria area. Mosquitoes here are a nuisance and cause itchy bites, but the main concern is comfort and sleep.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254