Newlands sits on the wet side of Table Mountain under big oaks and pines, and that moisture drives a lot of what we see here. Squirrels in roofs, fishmoths in cupboards and borer in old timber are bread and butter for us in this suburb.
Stored product pests around Newlands
Pantry moths and weevils like the cool, damp kitchens, especially with bulk flour and grains. Keeping dry goods in sealed jars stops most of it.
There is a real mix: large older homes on generous plots, Newlands Village cottages, newer cluster homes and apartment blocks closer to Main Road and the sports grounds. Many of the older houses have timber floors, wooden ceilings and roof spaces that stay cool and damp. Leafy gardens and big trees overhang roofs, giving squirrels and rats a direct route in. Some homes have thatch outbuildings or pergolas.
Newlands is one of the wettest suburbs in Cape Town, with Newlands Forest and the Table Mountain National Park slopes right above it and the Liesbeek running through. Winter rain is heavy and long, and many properties stay shaded and damp for months. Mountain streams and forest edges bring wildlife close to gardens.
What gives them away
- Small whitish caterpillars crawl up pantry walls or across the ceiling looking for somewhere to pupate.
- Small pale moths flutter away when you open a wardrobe or move clothes on the rail.
- Moths are seen resting on the ceiling of the kitchen or a bedroom in the evening.
- Bare patches show up in woollen rugs or carpets under beds, sofas and other heavy furniture.
- Small, irregular holes appear in woollen jerseys, suits, scarves or blankets, often in hidden areas like under collars and arms.
Clothes moths can ruin expensive wool and silk clothing, heirloom blankets, wool carpets and upholstery, and the damage is often only noticed months later. Pantry moths contaminate food with webbing, droppings and larvae, and infested food must be thrown away. For retailers, hotels, guesthouses and textile businesses, moth damage to stock or furnishings means real financial loss. Neither moth is known to carry disease, but both spread from room to room and cupboard to cupboard if they are ignored.
Worth knowing
Most people assume the moth they see is the one doing the damage. With clothes moths it is actually the larvae, and they stay well hidden.
Our process, step by step
Identifying the moth correctly matters most, because clothes moths and pantry moths are treated in completely different places. For clothes moths we remove and sort affected textiles, recommend washing at high temperature, dry cleaning or freezing, vacuum carpets and wardrobe floors thoroughly, and apply a residual treatment to carpet edges, skirting boards and the inside of cupboards, with an insect growth regulator where the infestation is heavy. For pantry moths we find and remove all infested food, vacuum shelving, and treat cracks and crevices where larvae pupate, keeping treatment away from food. In both cases we place species-specific pheromone traps to monitor results, since these catch male moths and show quickly whether the problem is under control.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our moth control service works.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Store woollen clothes and blankets in sealed bags or containers, not in open shelves or cardboard boxes.
- Keep cereals, nuts, dried fruit and pet food in airtight containers, and check birdseed before bringing it inside.
- Vacuum under beds, sofas and along carpet edges regularly, since moths thrive in dark, undisturbed spots.
- Wash or dry clean woollens before packing them away for summer, because moths prefer fabric with sweat and food stains on it.
- Take clothes out of the wardrobe and shake them every few weeks, as clothes moths dislike disturbance and light.
What affects the price
The cost depends on whether it is a clothes moth or pantry moth problem, the number of rooms or cupboards involved, and whether carpets and upholstery need treatment. Larger homes, guesthouses and retail spaces with many wardrobes or storage areas take more time and may need a follow-up visit. We give a free quote, usually after seeing photos or doing a quick inspection.
Pantry moths can often be solved at home with a ruthless clean-out and sealed containers, and we would say try that first. Clothes moths are harder, because the larvae hide in carpets, under furniture and in the corners of wardrobes, and missing a single spot means the problem returns. If you have valuable woollens, wool carpets or the moths keep coming back after cleaning, it is worth getting us in.
Moth Control questions from Newlands
Do you come out to Newlands for moth control?
Yes. Newlands is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Claremont, Rondebosch, Bishopscourt, Harfield Village. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can you treat a guesthouse or clothing shop?
Yes. We inspect stock and furnishings, treat affected areas and set up pheromone monitoring, with a report after each visit.
Do mothballs work?
Traditional mothballs only work in a sealed space at high concentrations, and they have a strong smell many people dislike. Sealed storage, regular cleaning and pheromone traps are more effective.
Why are fishmoths so bad in Newlands houses?
Newlands is one of Cape Town's wettest suburbs, and fishmoths feed on starch and thrive in damp, shaded rooms. Reducing humidity and treating cupboards and skirtings brings them under control.
Do the moths I see on my patio light eat clothes?
Almost never. Clothes moths avoid light and are rarely seen flying. The big moths around outdoor lights are garden species.
How do I get squirrels out of my Newlands roof?
We find the entry points, make sure the squirrels are out, and then seal the gaps with mesh so they cannot return. Trimming nearby branches is part of keeping them out.
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