Parklands grew fast from bare dune land into rows of townhouse complexes and family homes, so many pest issues here come from the sand and open veld that still surround parts of it. Ants, mice and windblown flies are typical.
Parklands: what drives crawling insects here
Ants nest in the sandy soil and come indoors in summer. Crickets and spiders move in from open ground.
Most homes are newer brick houses and townhouses in complexes with shared walls and gardens. Light roofs and modern building methods keep things tidy, but gaps around pipes, vents and garage doors let mice and insects in. Complexes share refuse areas, which can attract rodents. Some estates have ponds and open spaces with water features.
Parklands is built on sandy, windy coastal ground near Big Bay and Table View, with open dune and veld land still at the edges. The South-Easter blows hard in summer, and winter brings cold fronts and rain. Ponds and wetlands in estates and parks hold water year-round.
How to tell you have a problem
- Burrows with a crescent-shaped opening appear under rocks, at the base of walls or in sandy soil.
- They turn up in shoes, towels or laundry left on the floor.
- There are lots of crickets, cockroaches or other insects around, which gives scorpions plenty to eat.
- A UV torch at night reveals scorpions glowing blue-green in the garden or along the walls.
- Scorpions appear inside after building work, landscaping or clearing rubble nearby.
- Scorpions are found in pool filters, sumps or under pot plants after rain.
Something most people miss
Dogs that dig and paw at things in the garden are often the ones that get stung. Keeping rockeries and woodpiles away from the areas where pets play helps a lot.
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.
Prevention that actually works
- 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.
- Keep beds and cots away from walls and do not let bedding hang down to the floor.
- 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.
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.
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 Parklands
Why are there so many ants in Parklands homes?
The sandy ground makes nesting easy, and summer heat sends them indoors for water. Baiting their trails and treating entry points brings them under control.
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 deal with Egyptian geese in a Parklands estate?
We can advise on deterrents and bird proofing for buildings and shared areas, focusing on keeping them away from homes rather than harming 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 Parklands for scorpion control?
Yes. Parklands is part of our regular Blaauwberg & West Coast route, along with Table View, Bloubergstrand, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254