For most Reebok homes, insect control comes down to three things: ant baits that wipe out the colony in the sand around the house, a residual treatment for fishmoths and cockroaches in damp cupboards, and an outside barrier so the next lot doesn't just walk back in. That's what we do, with a 3-month guarantee, and without you having to unpack or leave home.
A village of two halves
Reebok is a small coastal village next to Tergniet, between Mossel Bay and Groot Brak. Some homes are lived in all year by families and retirees; others are holiday houses that are full in December and closed for much of the rest of the year. Insects treat the two very differently.
In a lived-in home, the problem tends to be steady: ants every time it rains, fishmoths in the bookshelf, the odd cockroach in the kitchen. In a holiday house, things build up unseen and then arrive all at once when the family does. And because homes are close together, insects that thrive in an empty house next door don't stay there.
The usual suspects
Ants
Sandy coastal soil is easy for ants to nest in, under paving, along foundations and in garden beds. They come inside for food and water, and especially when rain floods their nests. Trails along the kitchen counter or around a pet bowl are the classic sign.
Fishmoths
Salt air and humidity keep cupboards, bookshelves and storerooms slightly damp, which is exactly what fishmoths want. You'll find them in linen cupboards, among papers and behind picture frames, with small chewed holes and yellowish marks as evidence.
Flies
Braai areas, outside bins and anywhere fish is cleaned attract flies quickly in summer. They're mostly an outdoor issue, but they'll follow food indoors.
Cockroaches and fleas
Cockroaches come up through drains and hide behind kitchen appliances. Fleas usually arrive with pets and settle into carpets and bedding. Both are covered in a standard treatment.
How we handle a Reebok job
We begin with a walk around the property, inside and out. We want to see the ant trails and where they start, the damp cupboards, the drains and the outside areas where insects gather. That inspection decides what goes where.
Ants get bait placed along their trails, which the workers carry back to the nest. Cockroaches get gel bait in the cracks where they hide. Fishmoths, fleas and spiders are treated with an odourless, non-staining residual spray into cupboards, skirtings, carpets and corners. Finally, we apply a barrier treatment around the outside walls, door frames and windows. Once everything is dry, it's safe for children and pets.
If you're a holiday home owner and can't be there, we can work with whoever looks after the house and report back to you.
The mistake that costs people a season
Waiting until December. By the time the house is full and the ants are on the breakfast table, colonies have had all of spring to grow. A treatment in late spring, before the busy weeks, is much more effective than a rushed one during the holidays, and you're not fighting insects with a house full of guests.
A local tip worth trying
Sand blown or carried onto patios and into the gaps between paving gives ants ideal nesting spots right at your door. Sweep patios regularly and keep sand from building up against the walls of the house. Rinse off and clean the braai and fish-cleaning area after use, keep bins lidded and away from the kitchen door, and air out cupboards on dry, sunny days so the damp doesn't settle in. Store linen in sealed boxes in holiday homes.
What affects the cost
We price each job on the size of the house and garden, which insects we're treating and how long they've been established. A lived-in home with a seasonal ant problem is usually a simple job. A holiday house that has been closed for months, with several pests at once, takes more time and may need a follow-up. Owners who want a treatment before each season can set that up as a regular booking. Quotes are free. And honestly, if you only have a small ant trail and can see the gap it's coming through, sealing the gap and using a shop bait may do the trick.
Need help with rodents or other pests? See pest control in Reebok. Next door, there's insect control in Tergniet, and our main insect control page has more detail on our treatments.
We're SAPCA registered and have worked along this coast for more than 25 years. Call 044 012 5011 when you're ready, and we'll find a time that suits.
Questions we get asked
When is the best time to treat a holiday home in Reebok?
Late spring, a few weeks before the busy season. It gives the baits time to work through ant and cockroach colonies before the house fills up.
Can an empty house next door give me insects?
It can. Ants and cockroaches that build up undisturbed in a closed house will spread to neighbouring homes, which is why an outside barrier around your own house is worth having.
Are fishmoths harmful?
Not to people. They don't bite or carry disease, but they do chew paper, books, wallpaper glue and fabric, so a large population can damage things you value.
Can you get rid of flies at the braai area?
We can treat the surfaces where flies rest, which helps, but the biggest difference comes from cleaning the braai, lidding bins and removing fish scraps quickly.
Will the products damage my linen or books?
No. The residual sprays we use are non-staining, and we apply them to cracks, shelves and skirtings, not directly onto your belongings.
How do I know it's fishmoths and not something else?
Fishmoths are silvery, wingless and move fast, like little fish. They leave small holes and yellow marks on paper and fabric. Our identification guide has more detail if you're unsure.