Old trees, wide lawns running down to the lagoon and houses that have stood for generations. Belvidere is one of Knysna's most settled corners, and its pests are the settled kind too.
The pests that bother Belvidere homes are roof rats coming in from the big old trees, wood borer and subterranean termites in older timber, mosquitoes from the lagoon edge and garden water, and paper wasps under deep eaves. We treat them from Knysna to the western shore with methods matched to each pest, using products that are harmless to children and pets once they've dried, and every job carries our 3-month guarantee.
On the western shore of the lagoon
Belvidere sits on the western side of the Knysna lagoon, across the water from town, with the Brenton road running past. It's known for its old stone church, its large, established gardens and houses with long views over the lagoon. Many properties have mature trees that touch the roof, lawns that reach the water's edge, and outbuildings, boathouses and jetties.
Roof rats in old trees
Roof rats live in trees and travel along branches onto roofs. In a suburb of big old oaks, milkwoods and pines, every tree touching the roof is a bridge. Once inside, rats nest in the insulation and come out at night, and you hear them scurrying. They chew wiring and contaminate everything they touch. Lockable bait stations go into the roof and along the runways, traps go where bait isn't sensible, and we point out the gaps they're using. Trimming branches back from the roof is the most effective step you can take yourself. See roof rats and rodent control in Knysna.
Older timber: wood borer and termites
Some of Belvidere's houses have been standing a long time, with timber floors, ceilings, roof structures and furniture to match. Wood borer leaves small round holes and fine dust, and in roof timbers it can do structural damage over years. Subterranean termites come up from the soil, build mud tubes up walls and hollow out door frames and skirtings from the inside. Both need an inspection before treatment, because we need to know which beetle or termite it is and how far it's spread. Our pages on wood borer treatment in Knysna and termite control in Knysna explain what to expect.
If you're selling, a beetle certificate is almost certainly part of the deal, and older timber means it's worth booking the inspection early.
Mosquitoes at the water's edge
Lawns running down to the lagoon, ponds, birdbaths and boats under covers give mosquitoes plenty of places to breed. Most of the ones biting you hatched in standing water close to the house, not in the lagoon itself. Empty anything that holds water once a week, and if it's still bad, treating the shady places adult mosquitoes rest during the day makes a real difference. See mosquito control.
Wasps and bees
Deep eaves, verandas, pergolas and old outbuildings attract paper wasps, whose nests grow through summer. Bees look for cavities in old walls and chimneys. Both need removing when they're close to where people sit, walk and play. See wasp nest removal and bee removal in Knysna.
Fishmoths and damp
Older homes near water tend to be damp in winter. Fishmoths and booklice in bookshelves and linen cupboards are the result. Treatment and better ventilation together keep them under control.
Boathouses, jetties and boat covers
Plenty of Belvidere properties have a boathouse, a jetty or a boat on a trailer under a cover. Those are quiet, dry, sheltered spaces that nobody checks often, and rodents love them. Mice nest in boat cushions, sails, life jackets and folded covers, and rats chew through ropes, wiring and fuel lines. Paper wasps build in the rafters of boathouses, and bait and fish scraps left in a cooler box bring flies within a day. Store cushions and sails in sealed containers, keep bait in a closed freezer, and include the boathouse when we treat the house.
Second homes on the lagoon
Some Belvidere houses are lived in all year and some only in the holidays. A house that stands closed for months on the lagoon gets damp, and damp brings fishmoths, booklice and mould. A treatment before you arrive, as part of our holiday home pest control, deals with whatever has moved in.
If you're selling a Belvidere home, it helps to book the beetle inspection as soon as the offer is signed. Older roofs and floors can take a little longer to inspect thoroughly, and if anything active turns up, there's time to treat it without holding up transfer.
What it costs
House and grounds size, the pests involved, how established they are and whether timber treatment or follow-ups come into it all affect the quote. A big old roof with rats in it takes more bait stations and visits than a mouse or two in the kitchen. A wood borer or termite job is quoted after an inspection. We'll give you the price before we start.
We also cover Knysna itself, Brenton-on-Sea and Rheenendal. Phone 044 012 5011 or book an inspection.
Frequently asked questions
How do rats get into the roof from the trees?
Roof rats run along branches that touch or overhang the roof and get in through gaps under the tiles, at the eaves and where pipes enter. Cutting the branches back takes away the bridge.
Can you check old floors and furniture for wood borer?
Yes. We inspect floors, roof timbers and furniture, tell you whether the beetles are still active, and explain what treatment it needs.
Are the mosquitoes coming from the lagoon?
Some may, but plenty breed much closer: in ponds, birdbaths, pot saucers, blocked gutters and the water that collects on boat covers.
Do I need a beetle certificate to sell?
Almost certainly, because Western Cape offers to purchase usually require one. Book it early if the house has a lot of older timber.
Are your treatments safe near the water?
We use registered products and apply them only where they're needed, well away from the water's edge and from ponds.
Do you treat boathouses?
Yes. Boathouses and garages by the water are dry, quiet and full of stored gear, which suits rats, spiders and wasps, so we include them in the visit.