Across the Keurbooms River from Plett, the houses step up the dunes and look straight out to sea. In December the whole place is full. From May to November, it's mostly the pests that are home.
Many Keurboomstrand homes are holiday houses and rentals, and the pests that trouble them are mice and rats that settle in while the house is quiet, fishmoths and booklice in damp linen cupboards, fleas waiting in carpets, wasp nests on decks and under eaves, and, in busy rentals, the occasional bed bug brought in with a guest. We treat between guests or before you arrive, you don't need to be there, and an ordinary treatment is dry within a few hours, after which children and pets can use the rooms again. The 3-month guarantee applies to every treatment.
A beach village on the dunes
Keurboomstrand runs along the coast east of the Keurbooms River mouth, with houses built into the dune slopes above the beach and coastal forest and bush behind them. The setting is wonderful and it's also exactly what pests like: thick bush for shelter, sea air that keeps houses damp, timber decks and stairs, and long stretches when nobody is home.
Mice and rats in quiet houses
Rodents from the dune bush get in under doors, through vents, round pipes and via the roof, especially in the cool months when nobody is home. They nest in roof insulation, cupboards and linen, and chew through anything edible left behind. We put tamper-resistant bait stations where they're active and find how they're getting in. Visit a few weeks before the season and the problem is gone before the family arrives. See rodent control in Plettenberg Bay.
Fishmoths, booklice and damp
Salt air and sea mist keep walls, cupboards and linen damp, especially in a house that's closed up. Fishmoths and booklice move in. Treating cracks, skirtings and cupboards deals with them, and better airflow, like leaving cupboards open and using moisture absorbers when the house is empty, keeps them from coming back.
Rentals, guests and bed bugs
Keurboomstrand rentals turn over quickly in season. Guests bring luggage, and luggage occasionally brings bed bugs. If a guest reports itchy bites in rows or you find dark spots on a mattress seam, shut that room and phone us. Clearing bed bugs takes two visits a fortnight apart, which we fit around your bookings. Our page on bed bug treatment in Plettenberg Bay explains what to expect.
Wasps on decks
Wide decks, timber stairs and eaves facing the sea give paper wasps plenty of shelter, and by December nests can be over the outside table and the outdoor shower. Removing them in spring, while they're small, prevents stings in the busy season. See wasp removal in Plett.
Fleas and pets
A dog that spent Easter at the beach house leaves flea eggs in the carpet and on the couch, and the pupae can wait until December. Treating the house before you arrive stops the welcome party of bites.
Timber stairs and decks
Many Keurboomstrand houses rely on timber stairs, decks and walkways to get down the dune to the beach. Sand, salt and damp work on that timber, and wood borer and subterranean termites can add to the damage. Spongy steps, small round holes with fresh dust, or mud tubes running up a post are worth having checked before someone puts a foot through a step.
Mosquitoes near the river
Houses closer to the Keurbooms River and its lagoon get more mosquitoes in summer than those on the open beach. Most still breed in water around the house: gutters, outdoor shower trays, boat covers and pot saucers. Empty those every few days in the warm months. See mosquito control.
For owners and rental managers
The most useful single visit is a pre-season check and treatment. We go through the roof, kitchen, cupboards, bedrooms and garden, deal with whatever is there and write you a few lines about it. For busy rentals, a second check mid-season is worth considering. Our holiday home pest control page explains it.
Permanent homes
Not every Keurboomstrand house is a holiday home. Families who live here all year deal with the same pests in a steadier way: mice when the weather cools, ants after rain, fleas when the dogs are in and out of the dunes, and wasps every spring. A spring and autumn barrier on the outside walls, plus a look in the roof, keeps most of it out. Our Plettenberg Bay page covers the wider area.
What it costs
Keurboomstrand quotes come down to house size, what the inspection finds and how much needs treating. A pre-season visit to a two-bedroom cottage is a short job. A big house with rats overhead and a wasp nest on each corner takes more time and a follow-up. If several houses on the same road book on the same day, the travel cost is shared. We quote before we travel.
We also work in Plettenberg Bay and further east in Nature's Valley. Ring 044 012 5011 or message us with your arrival or first check-in date.
Frequently asked questions
Can you treat a rental on changeover day?
For general pests, usually. Bed bugs are different: the room has to stay empty until the treatment's dry, and there's a second visit two weeks later.
Why are there tiny grey insects in our books and on the shelves?
Probably booklice, which feed on mould in damp, closed-up rooms. Drying the room out does most of the work, and a treatment helps if they've spread.
Do the mosquitoes come from the Keurbooms River?
Some may, but check closer to home too: pot plant saucers, buckets, kids' pools left out and blocked gutters all breed them.
The timber stairs down to the beach feel soft. Could it be termites?
It could be termites, wood borer or plain rot. Have it looked at soon, because stairs that lose strength are a safety risk.
When should we book before December?
A few weeks before the season, so rodent bait has time to work and any repairs are done before you arrive.
Do you look after permanent residents too?
Of course. We treat homes people live in all year as well as holiday houses.