Living with pests in Oranjezicht
Grand Victorian and Edwardian houses with wooden floors, pressed ceilings and old roof timbers sit beside modern glass-fronted homes and small apartment blocks. Many of the older homes have cellars, servant's quarters and large gardens with retaining walls. Gaps in old stonework and roof flashings are where rodents tend to get in. Apartment blocks add shared bin areas and ducts.
The suburb backs onto Table Mountain National Park, with mountain streams, the Molteno reservoir area and De Waal Park nearby. Winter rain runs off the mountain and keeps properties damp, while the South-Easter blows down hard in summer. Trees and greenbelts link gardens directly to the mountain.
The pests we get called out for most in Oranjezicht
Rats and squirrels moving in from the mountain are the most common issue. Wood borer in old timber, fishmoths in damp rooms and wasps in summer are regular calls. Ants come indoors in the dry, windy months.
Rats and mice
Roof rats travel along trees and walls from the mountain into roofs, and grey squirrels from the city parks nest in roof spaces. Sealing roof gaps is as important as baiting.
Cockroaches, ants and other crawlers
Fishmoths do well in damp older homes, and ants come in during hot summers. Scorpions and rain spiders appear in homes closest to the mountain.
Flies, mosquitoes and wasps
European paper wasps nest under eaves and in garden shrubs. Mosquitoes are generally mild, but blocked gutters can breed them.
Fleas and bed bugs
Fleas come in with pets that walk on the mountain. Bird mites can follow nesting pigeons in roof gaps.
Wood borer and timber
Old pine floors, roof beams and built-in cupboards in Victorian and Edwardian homes are susceptible to borer. Beetle certificates are routine when these homes sell.
Pantry pests
Pantry moths and weevils show up in kitchens with stored grains and nuts. Cafés and delis in the area need regular checks.
Hygiene and disinfection
Guest houses and homes used as short-term rentals often book disinfection between guests. Schools and crèches nearby also use fogging services.
Birds
Pigeons nest on chimneys and roof ledges, and Egyptian geese use De Waal Park. Bird proofing chimneys and roof ledges is the long-term fix.
How a visit works
We start with an inspection, because the right answer for ants is different from the right answer for rats, and guessing wastes money. Where we can, we go least-toxic first: gel baits for cockroaches and ants, tamper-resistant bait stations and snap traps for rodents, and insect growth regulators that break the breeding cycle. Residual sprays and dusts are applied only where they are needed, such as wall voids, cracks and roof spaces, not sprayed across every surface. Proofing is part of the job, so we point out or seal the gaps that let pests in. You get a post-treatment report so you know what was used and where.
- Tell us what you are seeing
Phone 021 012 5825 or send a photo on WhatsApp and we will help identify the pest before anyone visits.
- Inspection
A technician looks for the source, the extent of the problem and the entry points, not only the pests you can see.
- Treatment plan
We explain what we propose to use, where, and what you need to do before and after, with a free quote.
- Targeted treatment
We treat with the least-toxic effective products, focused on harbourage and entry points.
- Report and follow-up
You get a post-treatment report and a minimum 3-month guarantee, with a follow-up visit where the pest calls for it.
From the technician
People often assume that a clean house cannot have pests. Rodents and cockroaches care about warmth, shelter and access, and even a spotless home can give them all three through a gap behind the stove.
Supermarket foggers are one of the least effective things you can buy for cockroaches. They tend to push the insects deeper into wall voids and appliances, which makes a professional treatment harder afterwards.
Everything we treat in Oranjezicht
Rodents
Crawling and biting insects
- Insect Control
- Crawling Insect Control
- Ant Control
- Cockroach Control
- Cricket Control
- Fishmoth Control
- Scorpion Control
- Spider Control
- Biting Insect Control
- Flea Control
- Bed Bug Control
- Bird Mite Control
- Mosquito Control
Flying and stored product pests
Services
Questions from Oranjezicht
Why do rats keep coming into my Oranjezicht roof?
Because your property is close to the mountain and greenbelts, which gives them easy access. Sealing gaps in roof flashings and cutting back trees near the roof keeps them out longer.
Do Oranjezicht houses need wood borer checks?
Older homes with original timber often do, especially before a sale. We inspect roof timbers and floors and report any active borer.
Is your pest control safe for children and pets?
We use the least-toxic effective option first and place baits in tamper-resistant stations or in cracks where children and pets cannot reach. We will tell you if anyone needs to stay out of a room and for how long.
How soon can you come out?
Our average turnaround is about 48 hours, though it varies with the season. After-hours and weekend visits can be arranged on request.
