Plumstead is a settled, leafy suburb with long-standing families, a lot of oak and jacaranda shade and older homes that have been added onto over the years. That patchwork of old and new building is what keeps us busy here.
Crawling insects around Plumstead
American cockroaches come up from drains and sewer lines in older homes, while German cockroaches are more of a kitchen problem in flats and shops. Fishmoths and silverfish like the damp built-in cupboards.
You'll find solid brick semis, 1940s and 1950s bungalows with suspended wooden floors, and blocks of flats closer to Main Road. Many houses have extensions, outside rooms and converted garages, and the joins between old and new are classic entry points. Under-floor voids in the older homes hold damp, which suits cockroaches and fishmoths. Shops and takeaways along Main Road bring their own rodent and cockroach pressure.
Plumstead sits below the Constantiaberg on the wetter side of the peninsula, so winters are properly damp. Mature trees and established gardens give squirrels and roof rats easy highways from one property to the next. The railway line between Wynberg and Diep River also acts as a corridor for rodents.
Roof rats and squirrels in ceilings are the most common call, followed by German and American cockroaches in kitchens and drains. Fishmoths show up in older homes with damp under-floor spaces. Summer brings ants and wasps.
A note from the field
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.
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 gives them away
- Scorpions are seen on walls, patios or in the garage at night.
- 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.
- They turn up in shoes, towels or laundry left on the floor.
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.
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.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Wear gloves when gardening, moving stones or clearing debris.
- 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.
- Fit brush strips under doors and seal gaps around pipes, airbricks and window frames.
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Do you come out to Plumstead for scorpion control?
Yes. Plumstead is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Wynberg, Diep River, Southfield, Heathfield. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
I'm selling an older house in Plumstead. Do I need a beetle certificate?
Many sale agreements ask for one, so it's worth checking your offer to purchase. We can inspect the roof and floor timbers and give you a written report.
Are the scratching noises in my Plumstead ceiling rats or squirrels?
If it's mostly during the day it's usually squirrels; at night it's more likely rats. Either way we inspect the eaves and roof line to find the entry point before treating.
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.
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