The Malay Quarter is the oldest part of the Bo-Kaap, with cobbled lanes, painted houses and mosques climbing the lower slopes of Signal Hill above the city. Homes here are old, close together and full of history, which means pest control has to be careful as well as thorough.
The local picture in Malay Quarter
Fishmoths and cockroaches favour damp walls and old wooden cupboards. Ants come through cracks in the old plaster.
Many of the houses date back to the 1700s and 1800s, built as flat-roofed, terraced homes with thick walls and timber floors. Neighbours share walls and parapets, so rodents and cockroaches can move along a row. Older timber windows, doors and roof beams make wood borer a real concern.
The area sits on the slope of Signal Hill, catching the full force of the South-Easter in summer. Winter rain runs down the steep streets and can seep into older walls, keeping them damp. The city centre is just below, so pests from the busy streets and markets move up the hill.
Rats and mice are common in the older terraces and in the lanes. Cockroaches and fishmoths like the damp walls and old cupboards. Pigeons are a constant on the rooftops and ledges.
Something most people miss
A UV torch is a useful tool for homeowners. Scorpions glow under ultraviolet light, which makes it much easier to see how many are around and where they are coming from.
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
- A UV torch at night reveals scorpions glowing blue-green in the garden or along the walls.
- Scorpions are found in pool filters, sumps or under pot plants after rain.
- Burrows with a crescent-shaped opening appear under rocks, at the base of walls or in sandy soil.
- Scorpions are seen on walls, patios or in the garage at night.
- Scorpions appear inside after building work, landscaping or clearing rubble nearby.
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.
How the treatment works
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Fit brush strips under doors and seal gaps around pipes, airbricks and window frames.
- Move rubble, firewood, bricks and loose stones away from the walls of the house.
- 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.
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 Malay Quarter
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.
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.
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 Malay Quarter for scorpion control?
Yes. Malay Quarter is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Bo-Kaap, Schotsche Kloof, De Waterkant, City Bowl. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Can you treat wood borer without damaging a heritage house in the Malay Quarter?
Yes. We use targeted treatments on the affected timber and avoid anything that would mark or damage original finishes, and we'll talk you through it before we start.
Why do pigeons like the Malay Quarter rooftops so much?
Flat roofs and parapets give them safe places to land and nest, close to food in the city below. Spikes, wires or netting on favourite ledges usually move them on.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254