Scorpion Control for Simon's Town homes and businesses

Simon's Town is a historic naval town on False Bay, with steep streets climbing the mountain behind St George's Street. Old buildings, the sea air and the mountain on the doorstep make for a very particular set of pest problems.

Crawling insects around Simon's Town

Fishmoths thrive in damp old cupboards and stored books, and spiders shelter in rockeries and retaining walls. Ants come in during dry spells.

There are old stone and brick buildings from the naval history, Victorian cottages, guesthouses along the main road and newer homes on the slopes above. Many buildings have timber floors, roofs and joinery that have weathered for a long time. Guesthouses and restaurants serve a steady stream of visitors. Steep sites mean retaining walls and rockeries, which give rodents and spiders plenty of places to hide.

Rats and mice from the mountain edge and harbour are the main issue. Fishmoths and wood borer show up in old, damp buildings. Bed bugs are a risk in guesthouses, and gulls and pigeons are constant along the waterfront.

From the technician

A common belief is that the bigger the scorpion, the more dangerous it is. In South Africa, it is the shape that matters: chunky pincers and a thin tail usually means mild venom, while slim pincers and a thick tail is the warning sign.

Tell-tale signs

1. Burrows with a crescent-shaped opening appear under rocks, at the base of walls or in sandy soil.
2. They turn up in shoes, towels or laundry left on the floor.
3. Scorpions appear inside after building work, landscaping or clearing rubble nearby.
4. There are lots of crickets, cockroaches or other insects around, which gives scorpions plenty to eat.

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.

1. Identify the scorpion

   A WhatsApp photo helps us tell whether it is a thick-tailed species that needs extra care.

2. Inspect the property

   We check walls, rockeries, woodpiles, paving and any gaps where scorpions shelter or get inside.

3. Reduce their food

   We treat for crickets, cockroaches and other insects that scorpions hunt.

4. Treat hiding places and entry points

   Residual products go along wall bases, thresholds, airbricks and other key spots outside.

5. Remedial advice and report

   You get a report with practical changes to the garden and building to make it less welcoming.

Stopping a repeat visit

• Keep beds and cots away from walls and do not let bedding hang down to the floor.
• Wear gloves when gardening, moving stones or clearing debris.
• 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.
• Fit brush strips under doors and seal gaps around pipes, airbricks and window frames.

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.

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