Wynberg is two suburbs in one: the busy Main Road and transport hub in lower Wynberg, and the leafy, older homes of upper Wynberg near Maynardville. Pest pressures differ a lot between the two, so we tailor our work to which side you are on.
The local picture in Wynberg
German cockroaches live in kitchens of shops and flats, and American roaches come from drains. Fishmoths and Argentine ants are common in the older homes.
Upper Wynberg has large Victorian and Edwardian homes and the quaint cottages of Chelsea Village, many with timber floors and old roof structures. Lower Wynberg is dominated by shops, flats, markets and the taxi rank. Older commercial buildings there have more gaps, drains and food outlets for pests to use.
In lower Wynberg, rats, German cockroaches and flies are the main issues around shops and food outlets. In upper Wynberg, rodents, squirrels and wood borer in older homes are common. Pigeons are a problem on commercial buildings throughout.
How to tell you have a problem
- Scorpions are seen on walls, patios or in the garage at night.
- Burrows with a crescent-shaped opening appear under rocks, at the base of walls or in sandy soil.
- Scorpions are found in pool filters, sumps or under pot plants after rain.
- Scorpions appear inside after building work, landscaping or clearing rubble nearby.
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.
People often try to spray scorpions with household insecticide and are surprised when nothing happens. Scorpions are tough against contact sprays, so a treatment plan has to focus on hiding places, entry points and their food.
How the treatment works
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
- Shake out shoes, boots and towels before using them, especially those left outside or on the floor.
- Wear gloves when gardening, moving stones or clearing debris.
- Fit brush strips under doors and seal gaps around pipes, airbricks and window frames.
- 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.
Pricing, honestly
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 Wynberg
Is it a squirrel or a rat in my Wynberg ceiling?
Squirrels are usually noisy in the daytime and rats at night. Send us a photo of any droppings on WhatsApp and we can help identify it before we visit.
Do you come out to Wynberg for scorpion control?
Yes. Wynberg is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Plumstead, Kenilworth, Constantia, Ottery. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Do Chelsea Village cottages need a beetle certificate when sold?
In most sales, yes, the buyer or bond will require one. Older timber in these cottages is prone to borer, so it is worth inspecting before you list.
Why do scorpions come indoors?
They come in hunting insects or looking for shelter, often after rain floods their burrows or on hot nights. Gaps under doors and around pipes make it easy for them.
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.
Are scorpions in Cape Town dangerous?
Most are not, but thick-tailed Parabuthus species can deliver a serious sting. Treat any scorpion with a thick tail and slender pincers with caution.
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