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.
Flying insects around Bishopscourt
Paper wasps nest in hedges and eaves, and mosquitoes breed in water features and ponds. Clothes moths can damage rugs and stored garments in large homes.
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.
A note from the field
If you have children or a dog that spends the day in the garden, check the jungle gym, the dog kennel and the underside of outdoor tables. Those are common hidden nest sites.
Tell-tale signs
- Wasps gather on ripe fruit, fallen grapes or around the braai and outdoor bins.
- Yellow and black wasps patrol the same stretch of eave, gutter or pergola every day.
- Neighbours on the same street are also reporting nests, which means wasps are well established in the area.
- Wasps fly in and out of a gap in a wall, a hollow pole or a roller door channel.
Paper wasps sting when their nest is disturbed, and they can sting more than once, which is a real danger for anyone with a sting allergy and a misery for children playing outside. Nests in letterboxes, gate motors and garden furniture lead to stings because people touch them without seeing the nest. On farms and in the Winelands, Polistes damages soft fruit and grapes and gets in the way of harvest work. Because the species is invasive, every nest left alone produces new queens that start more nests nearby the following spring.
What happens when we come out
For ongoing wasp control we combine nest treatment with prevention rather than coming out once a year to remove whatever has grown. Active nests are treated with an insecticidal dust or spray applied directly into the comb, usually early in the morning or late in the day when the wasps are on the nest, and the comb is taken down once the colony is dead. On properties with repeat problems we do a sweep in early spring to find and remove young founding nests while they are small, and we can apply a residual treatment to favourite nesting spots such as eaves and pergolas. We also look at what is drawing wasps in, like water points, fallen fruit and open bins, and give practical advice on fixing it. For farms, estates and complexes, scheduled visits through the wasp season keep numbers under control instead of letting them build up.
Want the full step-by-step? See how our wasp control service works.
Prevention that actually works
- Fix dripping taps and irrigation leaks, since wasps need a steady water source to build nests.
- Walk around the house once a week from September and knock down any nest smaller than a coin with a long pole, at dusk, wearing long sleeves.
- Check garden furniture, umbrellas and the inside of letterboxes before using them in summer.
- Keep outdoor bins closed and clean up after a braai, as wasps scavenge meat and sweet drinks.
- Seal holes in hollow gate posts, steel poles and roller door channels with a cap or sealant.
What affects the price
Wasp control is priced on how many nests there are, how high and hard to reach they are, and whether you want a once-off treatment or ongoing visits through the season. A house with one or two nests at ladder height is a straightforward job, while farms, estates and complexes with nests spread over many buildings take longer. For properties that get wasps every year, a seasonal plan usually saves money compared to repeated call-outs, and the quote is free.
Queens come out of hiding as the weather warms in late August and September and start small nests on their own, which is the cheapest and safest time to deal with them. Colonies grow quickly through the hot, dry summer and reach their biggest and most defensive in February and March. With the first winter rains and cold fronts the colonies die off, and only the new queens survive to start again next spring.
Frequently asked questions
Do wasp traps work?
They catch some foraging wasps, but they rarely reduce the number of nests and can attract more wasps to your garden. Finding and treating the nests works much better.
Should I kill native wasps too?
Not necessarily. Mud daubers and many native wasps are harmless and useful in the garden, so if a nest is out of the way and not a stinging risk, we may suggest leaving it.
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.
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.
Is the European paper wasp really invasive?
Yes. Polistes dominula is not native to South Africa and has spread widely through the Western Cape, where it competes with local insects. That is why we treat it rather than leave it.
Do you come out to Bishopscourt for wasp 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.
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