Llandudno is a small, steep village tucked between Little Lion's Head and the Karbonkelberg, with Victoria Road above and a sandy cove below. There are no shops here, so the pests we deal with come almost entirely from the mountain, the sea and the houses themselves.
The local picture in Llandudno
Big rain spiders wander indoors ahead of a storm, and scorpions hide in rock walls and under deck boards. Fishmoths like the damp lower-level rooms near the sea.
Homes are large, individual houses built into the granite slopes, many on several levels with timber decks, glass and big overhangs. Holiday homes can stand empty for weeks, and that's when rodents and wasps move in undisturbed. Retaining walls and boulders built into gardens leave plenty of hollows for rats and scorpions.
Fynbos covers the slopes right up to the back walls, and the granite boulders hold heat and shelter all sorts of crawling life. The South-Easter funnels over the mountain in summer, while winter storms push salt spray and damp up from the beach. Sandy Bay and the coastal path lie just to the south.
Rats and mice from the mountain, spiders and scorpions from the fynbos, and wasps under decks are the usual suspects. Fishmoths turn up in damp storerooms on the lower levels. Gulls and pigeons can be a nuisance on flat roofs.
Signs to look for
- A UV torch at night reveals scorpions glowing blue-green in the garden or along the walls.
- There are lots of crickets, cockroaches or other insects around, which gives scorpions plenty to eat.
- 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.
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
For families with small children, simple habits like shaking out shoes, checking towels and keeping bedding off the floor are just as important as any treatment.
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.
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
- Move rubble, firewood, bricks and loose stones away from the walls of the house.
- 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.
- Wear gloves when gardening, moving stones or clearing debris.
- 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.
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 Llandudno
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 Llandudno for scorpion control?
Yes. Llandudno is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Hout Bay, Camps Bay, Imizamo Yethu, Atlantic Seaboard. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Do scorpions really come into houses in Llandudno?
Occasionally, yes. The granite boulders and rock walls shelter them, so homes built into the slope see the odd one, usually in garages, storerooms or under deck boards.
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.
Can you check my holiday home while I'm away?
Yes, we can arrange a visit with whoever has your keys, and send you photos and a post-treatment report. After-hours and weekend visits are possible on request.
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