Upper Woodstock is the old residential heart of Woodstock, climbing from Victoria Road towards Devil's Peak. Rows of Victorian cottages, many lovingly restored, sit shoulder to shoulder, and their age and closeness explain most of what we find here.
Biting insects in Upper Woodstock: what we see
Fleas are linked to pets and to rats in roof spaces. Pigeon nests in gutters can drop bird mites into upstairs bedrooms.
The Devil's Peak slopes are close, and the South-Easter funnels down the streets with surprising force in summer. Winter rain soaks old brickwork, and many cottages have damp walls and floors. Historic stormwater drains under the streets are home to rats and cockroaches.
Terraced and semi-detached Victorian cottages with pressed-steel ceilings, timber floors and narrow back yards are the norm. Shared walls and connected roof spaces let rats and mice move freely from one house to the next. Renovations sometimes open up old gaps that let pests in.
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.
Children tend to react more strongly to mosquito bites, with bigger swelling and more scratching. A net over the cot and screens on the bedroom window are simple, effective protection.
What gives them away
- Swarms in the evening near a water feature, drain or neglected pool.
- A high-pitched whine near your ear just as you fall asleep.
- Wriggling larvae, sometimes called wigglers, in pond edges, buckets, bird baths or pool covers.
- Day-time bites on the ankles while sitting in the garden, which points to Aedes breeding nearby.
How the treatment works
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.
- Property walk
We check gutters, drains, ponds, pools, water features and containers for larvae.
- Remove or fix breeding sites
We show you what to empty, cover or repair, and clear what we can on the day.
- Treat remaining water
Ponds, drains and sumps that cannot be emptied are treated with a larvicide or growth regulator.
- Treat resting areas
A residual spray goes onto shaded foliage, eaves and patio areas where adults rest.
- Fogging if needed
ULV fogging is used for events or severe cases to reduce adult numbers quickly.
- Follow-up plan
We leave a report and agree whether follow-up visits through summer make sense.
Keeping them out afterwards
- 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.
- Clean gutters after winter so they do not hold water through summer.
- Keep pool water circulating and treated, and drain the water that collects on top of pool covers.
- 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.
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.
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.
Questions we get asked in Upper Woodstock
Why do rats keep returning to my Upper Woodstock cottage?
In terraced rows, rats move through shared roof spaces and old drains. A joint treatment with neighbours, plus sealing the gaps in your roof and floor, gives lasting results.
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.
Do you come out to Upper Woodstock for mosquito control?
Yes. Upper Woodstock is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Woodstock, Walmer Estate, University Estate, Salt River. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
Do restored Victorian floors in Upper Woodstock need borer treatment?
Not always, but older pine is prone to common furniture beetle. If you see small round holes or fine powder, it is worth having it inspected.
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.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
