St James is a narrow strip of grand old houses squeezed between the mountain and False Bay, best known for its colourful bathing boxes and tidal pool. With the mountain right behind and the sea in front, homes deal with damp, wind and wildlife all year.
Crawling insects around St James
Fishmoths love damp cupboards and libraries in old houses, and spiders shelter in rockeries and walls. Ants trail in during dry weather.
Many homes are large Edwardian and Victorian houses on steep plots, with timber floors, wooden verandas and big roof spaces. There are also flats and newer homes higher up the slope. Steep sites, terraced gardens and stone retaining walls give rodents and spiders lots of hiding places. Old timber and damp sea air create ideal conditions for fishmoths and wood borer.
Rats and mice from the mountain slopes are the biggest problem, with fishmoths and wood borer close behind. Ants and spiders are common in summer, and gulls and pigeons are regular around the coast.
Signs to look for
- Cast skins and dead insects collect along skirting boards and in the backs of cupboards.
- 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.
- Fresh webs reappear in the same corners, window frames and eaves within days of being brushed down.
- You keep finding small pale spiders in bedding, curtains or clothing that has been left folded.
- Egg sacs, often round and papery or spiky in the case of the brown button spider, are stuck to brickwork or furniture.
A note from the field
Spraying the skirting boards in every room is usually a waste. Spiders spend the day in voids, roof spaces and behind fitted units, so that is where the treatment needs to go.
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.
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
- Keep stacked wood, bricks and old pots away from the house walls, because these are prime spots for button spiders.
- Swap white outdoor bulbs for warm yellow or LED ones so fewer insects gather, which means fewer spiders setting up around your doors.
- 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.
What affects the price
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
Why do I have so many fishmoths in my St James house?
Sea air and mountain damp keep old houses humid, and fishmoths love that. Drying out cupboards and a targeted treatment brings numbers down.
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.
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.
Can you inspect my old St James home for wood borer before I sell?
Yes, we inspect floors, roof timbers and verandas and give you a written report. Many sales need a beetle certificate, so book early.
Do you come out to St James for spider control?
Yes. St James is part of our regular South Peninsula route, along with Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Lakeside. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
How long does a spider treatment last?
A residual treatment keeps working for a good while, and our treatments carry a minimum 3-month guarantee. New spiders can still wander in from the garden, which is why sealing gaps and fixing outdoor lighting matters.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp us
