Wasp Control Tokai

Tokai sits at the foot of the Constantiaberg, with Tokai Forest and the Table Mountain National Park right behind it. Large plots, big gardens and that green backdrop mean wildlife and pests come with the territory.

Wasp nests in Tokai gardens

Paper wasps nest in the eaves, pergolas, shrubs and garden sheds of Tokai's big properties through summer, and nests in dense hedges often go unnoticed until someone gets stung while gardening. Thatched lapas and wooden decks give them more sheltered corners.

We treat and remove nests safely and check eaves, sheds and hedges nearby. For thatched structures, we use methods that don't damage the thatch. If someone in the house is allergic to stings, tell us when you book so we can plan the visit.

Homes here are mostly spacious, freestanding houses on generous plots, with pools, outbuildings and established trees. Some older homes have thatched roofs or large timber features, and there are a number of security estates and townhouse complexes. Garden cottages and staff quarters add more spaces for pests to hide.

Timber pests matter in thatched and older homes. Ants, spiders, fishmoths and the odd scorpion are frequent, and wasps nest in large gardens in summer.

What gives them away

A note from the field

Many people think wasps only nest in trees. In Cape Town the invasive paper wasp much prefers buildings, especially eaves, window frames and hollow steel poles.

Our process, step by step

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.

Stopping a repeat visit

• Pick up fallen fruit and grapes promptly, because ripe fruit draws foraging wasps in late summer.
• 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.
• Seal holes in hollow gate posts, steel poles and roller door channels with a cap or sealant.
• 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.

Pricing, honestly

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

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