Bishopscourt is a very green suburb of large homes, ambassadors' residences and old trees right beside Kirstenbosch. Pest work here is often about big properties with outbuildings, staff quarters, pools and heavy garden growth, rather than anything to do with density.
Crawling insects around Bishopscourt
Argentine ants come in from big gardens, and rain spiders and baboon spiders turn up near the mountain. Fishmoths enjoy libraries and older cupboards.
Homes are large, many on double plots, with thatched lapas, timber decks, wine cellars and staff cottages. All that space means plenty of ceilings, outbuildings and garages for rodents to hide in. Thatch and exposed timber also bring timber pest concerns.
Bishopscourt sits on the slopes below Table Mountain, with Kirstenbosch and the national park right next door. The Liesbeek River starts nearby, and winter rain keeps everything wet and lush. Big oaks, pines and fruit trees feed rodents and squirrels.
Roof rats and grey squirrels in ceilings are common, and mole rats tunnel through lawns. Wasps nest in eaves and hedges, and ants trail in from the gardens. Timber borer and thatch pests are a real consideration on these properties.
From the technician
People often kill rain spiders on sight, but they rarely bite and they eat cockroaches. If one wanders in, a container and a piece of cardboard will get it outside without any fuss.
Tell-tale signs
- Outside lights draw a cloud of moths and midges each night with webs built right around them.
- You keep finding small pale spiders in bedding, curtains or clothing that has been left folded.
- Someone in the house wakes with a small, red, sometimes blistered bite that was not there the night before.
- Cast skins and dead insects collect along skirting boards and in the backs of cupboards.
- Fresh webs reappear in the same corners, window frames and eaves within days of being brushed down.
- Untidy, tangled webs show up under outdoor chairs, in the meter box or around the pool pump.
What happens when we come out
We start by identifying the species, because a rain spider on the wall and a nest of button spiders by the jungle gym call for very different responses. Webs and egg sacs are removed by hand or vacuum first, which takes out a surprising amount of the next generation. We then apply a residual spray or a fine insecticide dust into the places spiders actually live: roof voids, behind fitted units, wall cavities, garages, eaves and window reveals, keeping it away from where children and pets play. Where insects are drawing the spiders in, we treat or advise on that food source too, because spiders follow their prey. Finally we point out gaps around doors, vents and pipes that need sealing.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our spider control service works.
Stopping a repeat visit
- Shake out shoes, gardening gloves and clothes that have been left on the floor or in the garage before you put them on.
- Pull beds slightly away from the wall and keep bedding off the floor to reduce night-time bites from sac spiders.
- Fit fine mesh to vents and seal the gaps around pipes and under doors with sealant or brush strips.
- Brush down webs regularly and vacuum the corners and the backs of cupboards, which gets rid of egg sacs before they hatch.
- Keep stacked wood, bricks and old pots away from the house walls, because these are prime spots for button spiders.
Pricing, honestly
The cost depends mainly on the size of the property and how many outbuildings, garages and roof spaces need treatment. A house with a heavy insect problem feeding the spiders takes more work than one with a few webs in the corners. We give a free quote after a quick look or a WhatsApp photo, and contract clients get spiders covered as part of their routine visits.
Spider activity climbs from late spring and peaks in the hot, dry months from January to March, which is exactly when rain spiders come indoors and people start to notice them. Button spiders are most visible in summer around gardens and pools. In the wet winter months many spiders retreat into roof spaces and garages, so a treatment then catches them where they shelter.
Frequently asked questions
Is the rain spider in my house dangerous?
Not really. Rain spiders are big and fast but rarely bite, and the bite is painful rather than dangerous; the kindest option is to catch it under a container and put it outside.
Do you come out to Bishopscourt for spider control?
Yes. Bishopscourt is part of our regular Southern Suburbs route, along with Newlands, Claremont, Constantia, Kenilworth. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
Should I worry about borer in my Bishopscourt thatch lapa?
It is worth checking, because thatch and timber in shady, damp spots can attract wood-boring beetles. A yearly inspection catches problems early and keeps the structure sound.
How do I know if I have violin spiders?
They are light brown with long legs and a darker violin-shaped mark on the front of the body, and they hide in undisturbed storerooms, cupboards and garages. Send us a clear photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it is.
Do the trees near Kirstenbosch bring squirrels into Bishopscourt roofs?
Yes, grey squirrels and roof rats use the tall trees as highways onto roofs. We trim access routes, seal gaps and treat roofs where needed.
Why do I have so many spiders this year?
Usually because there is more for them to eat. A warm spell, a lot of outdoor lighting or an underlying insect problem will bring spiders in behind it.
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