Dedicated suburb page · City Bowl
Ant Control Bo-Kaap
Colony-focused ant treatment in Bo-Kaap. Ant Control City Bowl is the regional hub; Ant Control Cape Town covers the wider metro. Pest control City Bowl lists all pests for the area.
Flagship reference page: Ant control Gardens.
- Western Cape ant control
- Colony-focused treatment, not surface sprays
- Kitchens, gardens, and shared ducts
- Species-specific baiting
- No vacating, no odour
- 6-month guarantee
Service assurance
Ant programmes: published internal, external, and bundle rules
Colony-led ant programmes: six months written guarantee on standard internal scope when quoted; three months on agreed outdoor areas when sold on the external package. Bundled programmes (for example Super 15) follow that package paperwork. Callbacks under guarantee are free within eligible scope per contract.
Your written quote and agreement are always the contract.
Ants activity in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town City Bowl right now
Outdoor ant activity is low in winter. Pharaoh ants remain the main indoor concern in heated buildings. Other species are less visible; focus on sealing and reducing indoor attractants.
Activity level
Low
Most active now
Pharaoh ants (indoor, heated buildings)
Less active this season
Argentine ants (less visible outdoors), Black house ants, Big-headed ants, Fire ants
What to maintain now
- Seal cracks and gaps to prevent ants seeking warmth and moisture indoors.
- In heated homes and offices, watch for Pharaoh ants near sinks and cupboards.
- Reduce clutter and fix leaks to remove indoor harbourage.
- Plan perimeter and garden treatment for early spring before colonies expand.
Local ant pressure in Bo-Kaap
Ants exploit moisture, food traces, and garden nesting sites—common across the Western Cape. In Bo-Kaap we identify the species, target the colony, and advise on reducing conditions so activity does not return after the first treatment.
Common ant species and behaviour in Cape Town
In Cape Town and the Western Cape, a few ant species account for most call-outs. Knowing what you’re likely dealing with helps us target the colony and reduce repeat activity. Here are the species we see most often and the clues that point to them.
Argentine ants
Linepithema humile
Small light to dark brown ants (about 2–3 mm) that form massive colonies with multiple queens. They move in distinct trails and are among the most widespread ants in South Africa. In the Western Cape they have invaded much of the coastal belt and are often the dominant house ant—residents frequently report rivers of little brown ants in summer.
- Distinct trails to food and water
- Tiny cracks used as entry points
- Strong in numbers; persists after surface spray
- Often peaks in warmer months
Cape Town and the coastal belt are classic Argentine ant territory. Colony elimination with baiting is essential.
Black house ant / Black garden ant
Ochetellus glaber, Lasius niger
The classic tiny shiny black ant in kitchens and gardens, about 2.5–3 mm long. They forage in long trails to anything sweet and often nest in wall cavities, under paving, or outdoors. Killing foragers alone is rarely enough—the colony keeps sending more.
- Shiny black ants in trails
- Drawn to sugar, spills, and pet food
- Nests in walls, paving, or garden
- Activity returns quickly after DIY spray
Found across Cape Town suburbs. Sweet baits and perimeter treatment are highly effective when the nest is targeted.
Pharaoh ants
Monomorium pharaonis
Very small (about 2 mm), yellowish or light brown, almost translucent. They thrive in warm, humid spots and nest in wall voids, behind cabinets, and in hidden spaces. Colonies have multiple queens and can “bud”—split into new colonies if threatened by spray—so baiting is critical.
- Tiny yellow or pale ants in faint trails
- Often near sinks, baseboards, or pet bowls
- Indoor-focused; rarely seen outside in cold months
- Spraying can worsen by causing colony to split
Common in Cape Town homes and apartments year-round. Indoor baiting is the right approach; we avoid sprays that trigger budding.
Big-headed ant (Coastal brown ant)
Pheidole megacephala
Two worker sizes: smaller minors (2–3 mm) and larger majors with big heads (4–5 mm). Colour ranges from yellow-brown to reddish-brown. They build loose sandy mounds at nest entrances and can out-compete other ants. They nest in soil, under paving, and sometimes indoors in wall cracks or potted plants.
- Small brown ants with some larger “soldier” types
- Sandy soil piles or mounds at nest openings
- Aggressive foragers in kitchens and bathrooms
- Can displace Argentine ants in some areas
Seen in some Cape Town suburbs and coastal spots. Protein and sugar baits plus perimeter treatment work best.
Fire ants
Solenopsis species
Reddish-brown ants that build noticeable mounds in soil or lawn and deliver a painful sting when disturbed. They forage for food and can enter homes. Less common in the Western Cape than in warmer, drier regions, but they do occur in suitable microclimates.
- Mounds in lawn or garden that erupt when disturbed
- Painful sting; aggressive when nest is threatened
- Reddish-brown colour; 2–6 mm
- More often in northern/eastern SA; occasional in Cape Town
If you have stinging ants and visible mounds, we treat the nest directly and use baits for lasting control.
Identify the ants in your property
Compare common Cape Town ant types, behaviour clues, and likely activity patterns.
Identify the ants in your propertyOur ant control service
Our ant control is colony-focused: we identify the species and activity pattern, locate harbourage and entry points, and use baits and targeted treatment so the fix lasts.
- No vacating or unpacking
- 6‑month guarantee on treatment
- Species-specific approach
- Follow-up included where needed
Ant identification and resources
Identify species and learn how we treat ants so the fix lasts. Use the guides below, then book or WhatsApp for a quote.
Ant identification guide
Identify common Cape species—sugar ants, pavement ants, carpenter ants—and understand behaviour so we can target the colony correctly.
Ants — full service & how we treat
Our colony-focused approach: inspection, harbourage and entry points, baits and targeted treatment. We match treatment to species and property. No vacating, 6‑month guarantee.
FAQ — Bo-Kaap
Explore more
Our flagship ant control page for the City Bowl is Gardens; the regional hub is Ant Control City Bowl.
Book ant control in Bo-Kaap
Tell us your Bo-Kaap address and where you are seeing ants — we align treatment with the City Bowl ant service.