Crawford is a settled suburb where many families have lived in the same house for decades, adding rooms as the family grew. The work here is steady household stuff: rats in the roof, cockroaches in the kitchen and ants once summer arrives.
Crawford: what drives crawling insects here
German cockroaches hide in kitchen appliances and cupboard hinges, while American cockroaches come out of the drains at night in summer. Ants and fishmoths are the other regulars.
You'll find solid freestanding houses and semis on modest plots, often with outside rooms, garages and flat-roofed additions built on over the years. Where an old roof meets a newer extension there is very often a gap, and rodents find it quickly. Houses sit close together, so a problem next door can be yours within a week. Corner shops and takeaways along the busier roads around Kromboom Road add food businesses to the mix.
Rats are the main call, roof rats in ceilings and Norway rats under outside rooms. German cockroaches follow kitchens, and big American cockroaches come up from drains in the warmer months. Ants in the sandy gardens are constant from spring to autumn.
What gives them away
- You keep finding small pale spiders in bedding, curtains or clothing that has been left folded.
- Fresh webs reappear in the same corners, window frames and eaves within days of being brushed down.
- Cast skins and dead insects collect along skirting boards and in the backs of cupboards.
- Egg sacs, often round and papery or spiky in the case of the brown button spider, are stuck to brickwork or furniture.
- Outside lights draw a cloud of moths and midges each night with webs built right around them.
- Untidy, tangled webs show up under outdoor chairs, in the meter box or around the pool pump.
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.
Landlords and tenants often argue over spiders. A few webs are normal housekeeping, but a persistent violin or button spider problem in outbuildings is a property issue and is better handled before the next tenant moves in.
How the treatment works
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.
Prevention that actually works
- 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.
- Brush down webs regularly and vacuum the corners and the backs of cupboards, which gets rid of egg sacs before they hatch.
- Fit fine mesh to vents and seal the gaps around pipes and under doors with sealant or brush strips.
- 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.
Honestly, a broom, a vacuum and better outdoor lighting solve a lot of spider complaints without any chemical at all. Supermarket aerosols kill the spider you spray but do little for the ones in the roof void or wall cavity. If you suspect violin or button spiders, or you are seeing bites, get it looked at properly rather than guessing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if someone is bitten?
Clean the bite, keep the spider if you can safely do so for identification, and see a doctor, especially for a suspected button or violin spider bite. Do not rely on a pest controller for medical advice.
Are the big cockroaches in my bathroom coming from the drains?
Most likely, yes. Those are American cockroaches that live in sewer lines and come up through floor traps and loose drain covers, so we treat the drains and you can keep plugs in overnight.
Why do rats keep coming back to my Crawford roof after baiting?
Usually the entry point is still open and the neighbours still have activity. We bait, find the gaps and advise on sealing them, so new rats don't simply move into the space.
Do you come out to Crawford for spider control?
Yes. Crawford is part of our regular Cape Flats route, along with Athlone, Rondebosch East, Lansdowne, Rondebosch. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
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.
Will the treatment harm my pets?
We treat cracks, voids and roof spaces rather than open floors, and we ask that pets are kept out until surfaces are dry. We will explain any specific precautions on the day.
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