Scorpion Control for Ocean View homes and businesses

Ocean View sits on the windy slopes above Kommetjie, a close-knit community where flats and family homes are built fairly tightly together. Wind, fynbos edges and shared buildings decide most of the pest problems we deal with here.

Crawling insects in Ocean View: what we see

German cockroaches move through flats via shared pipes and walls. Scorpions and rain spiders turn up in homes closest to the fynbos.

The housing is a mix of council-built flats, semi-detached and freestanding brick homes, with backyard rooms added on many properties. In the flats, shared stairwells, refuse areas and plumbing give cockroaches and rodents an easy path between units. Backyard structures with gaps at ground level let mice and rats straight in. Older roofs sometimes have loose sheeting where birds and rodents get into the ceiling.

The suburb is on exposed ground below Slangkop, with Table Mountain National Park fynbos and the Kommetjie coastline nearby. The wind is strong for much of the year, and winter fronts come straight off the Atlantic. Sandy soils and open veld around the edges harbour rodents and insects.

How to tell you have a problem

1. Burrows with a crescent-shaped opening appear under rocks, at the base of walls or in sandy soil.
2. Scorpions are seen on walls, patios or in the garage at night.
3. A UV torch at night reveals scorpions glowing blue-green in the garden or along the walls.
4. They turn up in shoes, towels or laundry left on the floor.
5. There are lots of crickets, cockroaches or other insects around, which gives scorpions plenty to eat.
6. 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.

Worth knowing

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.

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.

Our process, step by step

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.

Prevention that actually works

• Shake out shoes, boots and towels before using them, especially those left outside or on the floor.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

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