Gugulethu is busy, close-knit and built tight, so a pest problem in one home rarely stays there for long.
Mosquitoes in Gugulethu after the winter rain
Mosquitoes in Gugulethu breed in blocked stormwater drains, in the water that pools on the flat, sandy ground after winter storms, and in anything in the yard that collects rain: buckets, old tyres, tins and plant pots. Low-lying streets that flood often hold water for weeks, and the mosquitoes that hatch there bite mostly at night.
We treat breeding water and the shady resting spots around the home, and treat drains and puddles that can't be emptied. Tipping out standing water in the yard every week in summer, keeping drains clear of sand and litter, and fitting mesh to bedroom windows help the most.
The older parts are rows of council-built houses on small plots, many now extended with brick additions and backyard rooms. Hostels converted to family units, newer RDP homes and informal structures sit alongside them.
How to tell you have a problem
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: In the Western Cape, mosquitoes are mainly a nuisance and are not a malaria risk, but the bites can cause swelling and itching that is worse in children and some adults. Scratched bites can become infected, and constant night-time biting leads to poor sleep for the whole household. For hospitality businesses, restaurants with outdoor seating and wedding venues, mosquitoes in the evening can directly affect guest comfort and reviews.
A note from the field
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.
Restaurants and guest houses with outdoor areas lose evening trade when mosquitoes get bad. Treating resting areas and keeping water features maintained should be part of the summer routine.
What happens when we come out
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
- Stock ornamental ponds with small fish that eat larvae, and keep water features running.
- Keep pool water circulating and treated, and drain the water that collects on top of pool covers.
- Store old tyres, tins and containers under cover or throw them away.
- Empty pot-plant saucers, buckets, bird baths and pet water bowls at least once a week, because larvae develop into adults in about a week in hot weather.
- Clean gutters after winter so they do not hold water through summer.
What affects the price
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
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.
Does fogging get rid of mosquitoes?
Fogging kills adults that are flying at the time, but new ones will hatch from any untreated water. It works best as part of a plan that deals with breeding sites.
Where do mosquitoes in Gugulethu come from?
Mostly from blocked drains and standing water after rain, and from containers in the yard. Clearing and treating that water cuts them a lot.
Are the treatments safe for fish in my pond?
We choose larvicides suitable for the situation and will tell you if a product is not appropriate for a fish pond. In many cases, fish themselves are the best control.
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.
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.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
