West Beach Scorpion Control

West Beach is the strip between Table View and Bloubergstrand, built on dune land right behind the beach. Wind, sand and salt rule here, and most of the pest issues we see are shaped by being a stone's throw from the sea.

Crawling insects in West Beach: what we see

Black ants nest in the sand under paving and along walls, and fishmoths thrive in the damp sea air. Spiders and crickets come in from the dunes.

Homes are mostly modern freestanding houses and townhouses, many with flat roofs, big windows and paved courtyards. There are also apartment complexes and a few holiday homes that stand empty for parts of the year. Courtyards and enclosed patios trap blown sand and leaf litter, giving ants and other crawlers a place to settle.

What gives them away

1. A UV torch at night reveals scorpions glowing blue-green in the garden or along the walls.
2. Scorpions are found in pool filters, sumps or under pot plants after rain.
3. They turn up in shoes, towels or laundry left on the floor.
4. Scorpions are seen on walls, patios or in the garage at night.
5. Scorpions appear inside after building work, landscaping or clearing rubble nearby.

Worth knowing

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.

Want the full step-by-step? See how our scorpion control service works.

Prevention that actually works

• Move rubble, firewood, bricks and loose stones away from the walls of the house.
• Fit brush strips under doors and seal gaps around pipes, airbricks and window frames.
• 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.

How much will it cost?

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.

Scorpion Control questions from West Beach

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