Constantia means big plots, old oaks, vineyards and horses, so pest control here is often as much about the garden and outbuildings as the house itself.
Crawling insects around Constantia
Near the mountain edge, scorpions and rain spiders turn up in garages and pool rooms.
Many homes are large, older properties on generous stands, some Cape Dutch in style with thatched roofs, others modern with big glass walls and pool decks. Staff cottages, garages, stables and pool houses all add extra buildings that need checking. The newer security estates have neater gardens but still back straight onto greenbelts.
How to tell you have a problem
Tick every sign you have noticed. It takes ten seconds.
Why it matters: Most scorpion stings in the Western Cape cause local pain and swelling similar to a bee sting. Stings from thick-tailed Parabuthus species can be much more serious, especially for small children, the elderly and people with medical conditions, and need prompt medical attention. Pets, particularly curious dogs and cats, can also be stung. If someone is stung by a thick-tailed scorpion or shows symptoms such as muscle weakness, trouble swallowing or difficulty breathing, get medical help straight away.
Something most people miss
People often try to spray scorpions with household insecticide and are surprised when nothing happens. Scorpions are tough against contact sprays, so a treatment plan has to focus on hiding places, entry points and their food.
Dogs that dig and paw at things in the garden are often the ones that get stung. Keeping rockeries and woodpiles away from the areas where pets play helps a lot.
How we handle scorpion control in Constantia
Scorpions are harder to kill with contact sprays than most insects, so we focus on a combination of habitat reduction and targeted treatment. We apply a residual treatment to entry points, door thresholds, wall bases, airbricks and known hiding spots around the outside of the house. Because scorpions follow their food, we also treat for crickets, cockroaches and other insects that attract them. Where burrows are found, they can be treated directly. We pair this with practical advice on clearing debris and sealing gaps, which is often what makes the biggest difference.
- Identify the scorpion
A WhatsApp photo helps us tell whether it is a thick-tailed species that needs extra care.
- Inspect the property
We check walls, rockeries, woodpiles, paving and any gaps where scorpions shelter or get inside.
- Reduce their food
We treat for crickets, cockroaches and other insects that scorpions hunt.
- Treat hiding places and entry points
Residual products go along wall bases, thresholds, airbricks and other key spots outside.
- Remedial advice and report
You get a report with practical changes to the garden and building to make it less welcoming.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Fit brush strips under doors and seal gaps around pipes, airbricks and window frames.
- Wear gloves when gardening, moving stones or clearing debris.
- Use yellow or warm-coloured outside lights to attract fewer insects, which means fewer scorpions hunting them.
- Shake out shoes, boots and towels before using them, especially those left outside or on the floor.
- Keep beds and cots away from walls and do not let bedding hang down to the floor.
Pricing, honestly
The cost depends on the size of the property and garden, how much hiding space there is in rockeries and walls, and whether an insect treatment is needed to reduce their food. Properties on the edge of open veld or fynbos tend to have more ongoing pressure and may benefit from regular treatments. Follow-ups and any contract options are included in a free quote.
Clearing rubble, sealing gaps and using a UV torch to find scorpions at night can make a real difference without any chemicals. Sprays from the shop do little against scorpions because they are quite resistant to contact products. If you have small children or are finding thick-tailed scorpions, have a professional deal with it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get rid of scorpions completely?
Not entirely, especially next to veld or fynbos, because they move in from surrounding land. We can greatly reduce how many come close to and into the house.
Is the treatment safe for children and pets?
Products are applied outside around entry points and wall bases rather than in living areas. Keep children and pets off treated areas until dry, and we will advise you on the day.
Do you come out to Constantia for scorpion control?
Yes. Constantia is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Bergvliet, Tokai, Plumstead, Diep River. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
What should I do if someone is stung?
Keep the person calm, note what the scorpion looked like or take a photo, and get medical advice. If it was a thick-tailed scorpion or there are symptoms like weakness or breathing trouble, go to a doctor or emergency unit straight away.
Are scorpions in Cape Town dangerous?
Most are not, but thick-tailed Parabuthus species can deliver a serious sting. Treat any scorpion with a thick tail and slender pincers with caution.
Why do scorpions come indoors?
They come in hunting insects or looking for shelter, often after rain floods their burrows or on hot nights. Gaps under doors and around pipes make it easy for them.
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