Sea Point packs a lot into a narrow strip between Lion's Head and the promenade: tall blocks of flats, old Victorian homes, and a non-stop run of restaurants on Main and Regent roads. Most of our work here is in apartments and food businesses.
Sea Point: what drives crawling insects here
German cockroaches spread through blocks via kitchens and shared ducts, and American cockroaches come up from drains. Ants appear in hot weather.
High-rise and mid-rise blocks dominate, many built in the 1960s and 1970s with shared refuse rooms and service ducts. There are also older Victorian and Edwardian homes and a growing number of short-term rentals. Cockroaches and bed bugs spread between flats through ducts and with guests' luggage. Restaurants and takeaways along the main roads need ongoing commercial control.
German cockroaches and bed bugs are the top issues in flats and rentals. Rats around refuse areas and restaurants come next. Pigeons on balconies are a constant headache.
Signs to look for
- Egg sacs, often round and papery or spiky in the case of the brown button spider, are stuck to brickwork or furniture.
- Untidy, tangled webs show up under outdoor chairs, in the meter box or around the pool pump.
- Someone in the house wakes with a small, red, sometimes blistered bite that was not there the night before.
- You keep finding small pale spiders in bedding, curtains or clothing that has been left folded.
- Outside lights draw a cloud of moths and midges each night with webs built right around them.
Worth knowing
Brown button spiders have spread widely across Cape Town gardens and leave distinctive spiky round egg sacs. If you see those under garden furniture or a jungle gym, get them removed before children are playing there again.
Daddy longlegs are often said to be the most venomous spider in the world with fangs too weak to bite. It is a myth. They are harmless to people and actually prey on other spiders, so a few in the corners of the house are not worth losing sleep over.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Questions we get asked in Sea Point
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.
Can you stop pigeons nesting on my Sea Point balcony?
Yes, we fit bird netting and spikes on balconies, ledges and aircon units. Check with your body corporate first, as some blocks have rules about what can be installed.
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 you come out to Sea Point for spider control?
Yes. Sea Point is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Fresnaye, Bantry Bay, Three Anchor Bay, Green Point. 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.
How do you deal with bed bugs in a Sea Point short-term rental?
We treat all affected rooms and furniture and give you a prep list and report. Booking a quick turnaround between guests is possible on request.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
