Lakeside is squeezed between the mountain and Zandvlei, with Boyes Drive above and the railway line and Main Road running through the middle. Having both a mountain slope and a big vlei on your doorstep means you get pests from two very different directions.
Crawling insects in Lakeside: what we see
Damp lower-lying houses get fishmoths in cupboards and bookshelves. On the mountain side, rain spiders, baboon spiders and the odd scorpion come in from the fynbos.
Homes range from older cottages and family houses on the slopes to townhouses and small complexes nearer the vlei. A lot of the older houses have suspended timber floors and big trees in the garden, which gives rodents and borer something to work with. Garden flats and outside rooms are common and are usually the first place a pest problem gets noticed.
Zandvlei and the wetland around it are a breeding ground for midges and mosquitoes when the water warms up. Up the other side, Boyes Drive and the Silvermine section of Table Mountain National Park bring fynbos, rocks and the odd scorpion right to people's back walls. The South-Easter blows hard here in summer, and the winter rain soaks the lower roads near the vlei.
Expect mosquitoes and midges near the water, rats along the railway reserve, and ants almost everywhere in summer. Fishmoths and silverfish like the damp in older houses close to the vlei. Spiders and the occasional scorpion are more of a thing on the mountain side.
How to tell you have a problem
- Scorpions appear inside after building work, landscaping or clearing rubble nearby.
- 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.
- They turn up in shoes, towels or laundry left on the floor.
- A UV torch at night reveals scorpions glowing blue-green in the garden or along the walls.
From the technician
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.
How we handle scorpion control in Lakeside
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.
- Use yellow or warm-coloured outside lights to attract fewer insects, which means fewer scorpions hunting them.
- Move rubble, firewood, bricks and loose stones away from the walls of the house.
- Shake out shoes, boots and towels before using them, especially those left outside or on the floor.
How much will it cost?
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.
Scorpions are most active in the warm months from late spring to early autumn, especially on hot, still nights. The first rains of the season can flood burrows and drive them indoors or into garages. In winter they become much less active and stay in their burrows.
Questions we get asked in Lakeside
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 the mosquitoes in Lakeside coming from Zandvlei?
Mostly, yes. Zandvlei and its wetland edges are prime breeding water in warm weather, so homes nearby notice the swarms on calm summer evenings. Clearing standing water at home and treating resting spots like dense shrubs cuts the numbers down.
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.
Do you come out to Lakeside for scorpion control?
Yes. Lakeside is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Muizenberg, Marina da Gama, Kirstenhof, Steenberg. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
I live near Boyes Drive. Should I worry about scorpions?
You may see the odd one, mostly after rain or in late summer when they move about. Keep rock piles and woodpiles away from the house and check shoes left outside, and call us if they keep coming indoors.
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.
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