Ask a Capetonian about the Southern Suburbs and they will picture oak-lined avenues, the mountain looming over Newlands and the rain that rolls in off it in winter. Those same oaks, gardens and wet months are why squirrels, rats, ants and wood borer make up so much of our work between Rondebosch and Constantia.
Mosquito Control by suburb
We cover all 29 suburbs on our Southern Suburbs route. Each suburb page covers what we find there and what works for those streets and buildings.
- BergvlietMosquito Control
- BishopscourtMosquito Control
- ClaremontMosquito Control
- ConstantiaMosquito Control
- Diep RiverMosquito Control
- Harfield VillageMosquito Control
- HeathfieldMosquito Control
- KenilworthMosquito Control
- KenwynMosquito Control
- KirstenhofMosquito Control
- KreupelboschMosquito Control
- LansdowneMosquito Control
- MeadowridgeMosquito Control
- MowbrayMosquito Control
- NdabeniMosquito Control
- NewlandsMosquito Control
- ObservatoryMosquito Control
- OtteryMosquito Control
- PinelandsMosquito Control
- PlumsteadMosquito Control
- RetreatMosquito Control
- RondeboschMosquito Control
- Rondebosch EastMosquito Control
- RosebankMosquito Control
- Salt RiverMosquito Control
- SouthfieldMosquito Control
- SteenbergMosquito Control
- TokaiMosquito Control
- WynbergMosquito Control
Biting insects around Southern Suburbs
Fleas from pets and the odd hedgehog or rodent are common in garden homes. Student flats and digs sometimes need bed bug treatment at the start of the academic year.
This side of Table Mountain catches far more rain than the rest of the city, and Newlands is among the wettest suburbs in Cape Town. Kirstenbosch, Newlands Forest and the mountain slopes border the upper edge, while the Liesbeek River winds through Newlands and Rondebosch toward the Black River. Winter damp encourages fishmoths and borer, and the canopy of oaks and pines keeps grey squirrels well supplied.
The housing spans Victorian semis in Rondebosch and Claremont, big Edwardian and mid-century family homes in Newlands and Bishopscourt, student digs near UCT, blocks of flats around Wynberg and Claremont, and old farm-style homesteads and estates in Constantia. Many older homes have suspended timber floors, deep roof voids and outbuildings that rodents and squirrels quickly claim. Thatched roofs and gabled homesteads in Constantia bring their own timber and rodent issues.
Signs to look for
- 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.
- Itchy, raised bites on arms, face and feet that were left outside the covers.
- A high-pitched whine near your ear just as you fall asleep.
- Swarms in the evening near a water feature, drain or neglected pool.
From the technician
A common myth is that mosquitoes breed only in big bodies of water. In practice, a bottle cap of water in a pot-plant saucer or a sagging gutter is enough to produce a steady supply right next to your bedroom.
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
- 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.
- Fit mosquito screens to bedroom windows and use a net over cots in summer.
- 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.
How much will it cost?
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.
Mosquitoes start building up once the weather warms in October and peak from December to March, especially after a wet winter has filled ponds, vleis and gutters. Calm, humid evenings are the worst, while the strong south-easter actually keeps them down on windy days. Numbers drop sharply when the cold, wet winter sets in from about May.
Mosquito Control questions from Southern Suburbs
Do I need a beetle certificate to sell an old house in the Southern Suburbs?
In most sales, yes, it is a condition of the deed of sale. Older homes with timber floors and roof beams are inspected closely, so it is worth checking before you list.
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.
How far do mosquitoes fly?
Most household mosquitoes do not fly far from where they bred, so the source is usually on your property or a neighbour's.
Do you come out to Southern Suburbs for mosquito control?
Yes. Southern Suburbs is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Rondebosch, Claremont, Newlands, Wynberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
How do I get grey squirrels out of my roof in the Southern Suburbs?
The first step is finding and sealing every entry point once the squirrels are out, usually along fascias near trees. We can inspect your roof and advise on proofing and safe removal.
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