Fresnaye climbs the slopes above Sea Point toward Lion's Head, all steep streets, big houses and apartment blocks with sea views. Most calls here are about rats in roofs, ants in kitchens and pigeons on balconies.
Stored product pests around Fresnaye
Mostly household weevils and pantry moths, and they are worst in holiday homes left empty for months at a time.
Homes range from large modern houses with flat roofs, pools and glass to older double-storey homes and blocks of flats. Many are built into the slope with retaining walls, basements and garden terraces, which create plenty of hidden voids. Flat roofs and roof gardens attract pigeons and gulls. Staff quarters, garages and pool rooms add more places to check.
Fresnaye runs up the lower slopes of Lion's Head and Signal Hill, with fynbos and greenbelt directly above many homes. The South-Easter can be fierce, and winter storms hit straight off the Atlantic. Water runs down the slopes in winter, and rodents move down with the weather.
How to tell you have a problem
- Grains of rice or maize have tiny round exit holes, or the bag has fine dust at the bottom.
- Insects collect in the folds of packaging or along the seams of sealed boxes and bags.
- Small moths flutter out when you open a cupboard, and rest on the ceiling at night.
- Silky webbing clumps cereal, nuts or pet food together, sometimes with small caterpillars inside.
Something most people miss
The first thing a technician does is open things. We check the birdseed, the pet food, the forgotten bag of lentils and the spices, because that is where the source usually hides.
Throwing out the infested packet but leaving the shelves as they are is a common mistake. Eggs and larvae sit in the crumbs in corners and shelf joints, ready to start again.
Our process, step by step
The first and most important step is finding and removing every infested product, because no treatment works while the insects still have food. Shelves, cracks and crevices, and the gaps behind and under cupboards and racking are vacuumed out to remove spilt product and eggs. We then apply a targeted residual treatment into cracks and crevices, and an insect growth regulator where the pest is a moth or beetle that keeps cycling through. Pheromone traps for moths and beetles go in to monitor for survivors and new arrivals. In warehouses, mills and food factories, larger infestations of bulk commodities may need fumigation, which we plan and carry out separately under the right controls.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our stored product pest control service works.
Keeping them out afterwards
- Buy dry goods in amounts you will use within a month or two, rather than letting big bags sit at the back of the cupboard.
- Move flour, rice, cereal, pasta and pet food into sealed glass or hard plastic containers as soon as you get them home.
- In commercial stores, rotate stock on a first-in, first-out basis and keep pallets off walls so you can inspect behind them.
- Store birdseed and pet food away from the kitchen, as these are common sources of pantry moths.
- Wipe and vacuum pantry shelves when you restock, paying attention to corners and the gaps behind shelf supports.
Pricing, honestly
For homes, the cost depends mostly on how big the pantry is and how far the insects have spread into other cupboards. For commercial sites, the size of the storage area, the type of commodity, the level of infestation and whether fumigation is needed all affect the price. Food businesses that need regular monitoring and audit paperwork are usually best on a service contract, and we quote free after an inspection.
Stored product insects breed faster in warm weather, so infestations that started quietly in winter often become obvious from November through to March. In Cape Town's dry summers, warm pantries next to ovens and geysers are particular hot spots. In heated warehouses and bakeries the problem can carry on all year.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop pigeons nesting on my Fresnaye balcony?
Netting the balcony or fitting spikes on ledges stops them landing. Clearing any old nests first is important to get rid of bird mites.
Do the rats in Fresnaye come down from Lion's Head?
Many do, especially in winter. Homes on the upper streets see the most activity, and cutting back creepers and sealing roof gaps makes a big difference.
Do I have to throw everything away?
Throw away anything infested and anything open that is close to it. Unopened tins and sealed jars are generally fine once wiped down.
Are these insects harmful if I eat them by accident?
They are not known to be dangerous in small amounts, but infested food is contaminated and should not be eaten or sold.
Do you come out to Fresnaye for stored product pest control?
Yes. Fresnaye is part of our regular City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard route, along with Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Three Anchor Bay. Most bookings are done within about 48 hours, and after-hours visits can be arranged.
What are pheromone traps?
Small sticky traps baited with a scent that attracts a specific moth or beetle. They show whether the insects are still around and help us measure how well the treatment worked.
Office 021 012 5825 · WhatsApp 074 697 2254