Imizamo Yethu climbs the slope above the Hout Bay valley, with homes packed closely together on the hillside. Rats, cockroaches and flies are the everyday pests, and the steep ground makes stormwater and refuse a constant challenge.
Crawling insects around Imizamo Yethu
German cockroaches live in kitchens, shops and shebeens, and travel easily between structures. Ants and spiders come in from the slope above.
The area is a mix of informal structures built from zinc and timber, brick houses and some newer formal housing projects lower down. Homes are very close together, often sharing walls or sitting just a metre apart. Gaps in zinc and timber walls let rodents in easily, and they move quickly from one home to the next.
It sits on the slopes below the mountain, with fynbos and steep rock above. Winter rain runs downhill fast and can carry litter into drains, while the South-Easter blows debris around in summer. The slope also means water collects in low points and blocked channels.
Rats are the main problem, followed by German cockroaches and flies in summer. Fleas and bed bugs come up in crowded homes. Mice get into food stores in shops and homes.
How to tell you have a problem
- Scorpions are seen on walls, patios or in the garage at night.
- Scorpions appear inside after building work, landscaping or clearing rubble nearby.
- They turn up in shoes, towels or laundry left on the floor.
- Burrows with a crescent-shaped opening appear under rocks, at the base of walls or in sandy soil.
- There are lots of crickets, cockroaches or other insects around, which gives scorpions plenty to eat.
Something most people miss
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 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.
- 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.
Stopping a repeat visit
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Questions we get asked in Imizamo Yethu
Is it safe to use rat bait around children in Imizamo Yethu?
We use tamper-resistant bait stations so children and pets cannot reach the bait. We always explain where they are placed and what to watch for.
How do I tell a dangerous scorpion from a harmless one?
Look at the pincers and tail. Big, heavy pincers with a thin tail usually means mild venom; small pincers with a thick tail means you should be careful. Send us a photo if unsure.
Can you treat a whole row of homes in Imizamo Yethu for rats at once?
Yes, and that is the best way to do it. When neighbours treat together, the rats cannot simply move next door, so the results last longer.
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.
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.
Do you come out to Imizamo Yethu for scorpion control?
Yes. Imizamo Yethu is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Hout Bay, Llandudno, Constantia. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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