Scorpion Control in Goodwood

Goodwood straddles Voortrekker Road, with older family homes on the quiet streets and shops, workshops and takeaways on the main drag. We get a fair split between householders with mice in the roof and businesses fighting cockroaches.

Crawling insects in Goodwood: what we see

German cockroaches in takeaways, staff kitchens and flats, Argentine ants in summer and fishmoths in older houses.

Residential streets are lined with post-war freestanding homes, many with tiled roofs, outside rooms and big backyards. Voortrekker Road and the streets off it carry shops, motor workshops, takeaways and flats above businesses. Older homes often have suspended timber floors and old roof timbers. Larger venues and the showgrounds bring crowds and food stalls when events are on.

Mice and rats in roofs, German cockroaches in businesses and flats, and Argentine ants in summer are the bulk of our Goodwood calls. Pigeons along Voortrekker Road and fleas with pets fill in the rest.

From the technician

A common belief is that the bigger the scorpion, the more dangerous it is. In South Africa, it is the shape that matters: chunky pincers and a thin tail usually means mild venom, while slim pincers and a thick tail is the warning sign.

The first thing a technician checks on a scorpion call is what is lying against the house. Rubble, firewood, stacked pots and loose paving are prime scorpion hiding spots, and moving them often makes the biggest difference.

What gives them away

1. Scorpions are seen on walls, patios or in the garage at night.
2. Burrows with a crescent-shaped opening appear under rocks, at the base of walls or in sandy soil.
3. Scorpions appear inside after building work, landscaping or clearing rubble nearby.
4. They turn up in shoes, towels or laundry left on the floor.

What happens when we come out

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.

Want the full step-by-step? See how our scorpion control service works.

Stopping a repeat visit

• Wear gloves when gardening, moving stones or clearing debris.
• Keep beds and cots away from walls and do not let bedding hang down to the floor.
• Shake out shoes, boots and towels before using them, especially those left outside or on the floor.
• Move rubble, firewood, bricks and loose stones away from the walls of the house.
• Fit brush strips under doors and seal gaps around pipes, airbricks and window frames.

What affects the price

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.

Scorpion Control questions from Goodwood

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