Biting insect control in Johannesburg starts with finding out what's actually biting, because bed bugs, fleas, mosquitoes, bird mites and ticks are each treated differently. We look at the bite pattern, inspect beds, pets, the garden and the roof, confirm the culprit and then treat its hiding places, so the bites stop rather than move to another room.
Reading the bites
Bites alone don't prove anything, but the pattern is a strong clue:
- In a line or cluster on arms, neck and shoulders, after sleeping: often bed bugs.
- Around the ankles and lower legs, worse when you come home after time away: usually fleas, especially with dogs or cats.
- Scattered on exposed skin at dusk and at night, with whining: mosquitoes.
- Many small bites at night, plus tiny specks on walls and basins, near a roof nest: bird mites.
- A single bite with a tick still attached, after a walk or time in long grass: ticks.
Reactions vary a lot from person to person; some people barely react to bed bug bites while their partner is covered. If a bite becomes infected or you feel unwell, see a doctor.
The main biting pests in Johannesburg
Bed bugs
Flat, brown, apple-seed-sized insects that hide in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards and furniture near the bed. They travel in luggage, second-hand furniture and on clothing, so they turn up in hotels, guest houses, student digs, flats and family homes alike. Look for dark spots on seams and shed skins. Our bed bug treatments in Johannesburg explain what's involved.
Fleas
Very common in homes with pets and shady lawns, especially in summer. Most fleas in a house aren't on the pet at all; they're eggs and larvae in carpets, pet beds and the garden. See flea control for how we treat house and garden together.
Mosquitoes
A summer nuisance across the city, breeding in any still water in the garden.
Bird mites
Often mistaken for bed bugs. They come from pigeon, myna and sparrow nests in the roof once the chicks leave. Our page on bird mite control covers nest removal and treatment.
Ticks
Not insects, but a common biting pest on dogs and in gardens near open veld and long grass, particularly on the edges of the city and on smallholdings.
How we deal with biting pests
- Identify. We ask about the bites and inspect beds, furniture, pet areas, the garden and, if mites are suspected, the roof space.
- Treat the source. Bed bugs need detailed treatment of the bed and furniture; fleas need carpets, pet beds and the garden done at once; bird mites need the nest removed; mosquitoes need breeding water cleared and resting areas treated.
- Prepare you. We give you a clear checklist before and after: washing bedding hot, vacuuming, and getting pets treated by the vet on the same day.
- Follow up. Bed bugs and heavy flea infestations nearly always need a second visit, timed to catch the next generation as it hatches.
Normal treatments don't need you out of the house. Keep children and pets off treated surfaces until dry.
Hotels, guest houses, hostels and rentals
Anywhere people sleep in rotation is exposed to bed bugs, because every guest's luggage is a possible delivery. A single complaint in a guest house or student residence should be taken seriously and dealt with quickly, before the bugs move along headboards, wall sockets and luggage racks into neighbouring rooms. We inspect the reported room and the rooms either side, treat what's needed and can schedule regular inspections for accommodation businesses, with a record of each visit. Landlords dealing with fleas or bed bugs between tenants get the same approach: treat while the unit is empty, then check before the next tenant moves in.
Gardens, pets and the veld edges
Fleas and ticks don't stay indoors. Shady lawns, the sand under a deck and the dog's favourite spot by the gate are where flea larvae develop, and properties backing onto open veld or long grass see far more ticks than inner-city ones. Treating the house without the garden, or the garden without taking the dog to the vet the same week, leaves a reservoir that refills the house within weeks.
The mistake that wastes money
Treating for the wrong pest. People buy flea powder for bird mites or throw out a mattress for fleas, and the bites carry on. The second mistake is sleeping on the couch to escape bed bugs, which simply spreads them to the lounge. Confirm what it is first.
A Johannesburg tip
When you get back from a trip, unpack straight into the washing machine and keep the suitcase off the bed. Bed bugs picked up in hotels and guest houses usually arrive in luggage, and that habit stops most introductions before they start.
What it costs and why
Costs depend on the pest and how far it has spread. A flea treatment of a house and garden is a fairly standard job. Bed bugs cost more because each bed, piece of furniture and room has to be treated thoroughly and a follow-up is usually needed; how many rooms are affected makes the biggest difference. Bird mite work depends on nest access. Guest houses, hostels and hotels are quoted on the number of rooms. See the pest control price guide for starting prices.
Learn more
For a detailed step-by-step, read how to get rid of bed bugs, and for the biology behind each of these pests, the biting insect guide.
Combat Pest Control is owned and run by Jason van Heerden, SAPCA registered and registered with the Department of Agriculture, with 25 years of experience. We offer service within 24 hours, and treatments carry a 3-month guarantee. If something is biting you, call 084 200 2700 or WhatsApp us a photo of the bites or anything you've caught.
Questions we get asked
How much does it cost to treat biting insects?
It depends on the pest and how far it has spread. Fleas in a house and garden are a fairly standard job; bed bugs cost more because every bed and room affected needs thorough treatment and a follow-up. See the price guide for starting prices.
How can I tell what's biting me?
Look at where and when you're bitten, check mattress seams for dark spots, check pets for fleas, and look for tiny specks on walls near the ceiling. A photo of the bites and anything you've caught helps us identify it.
Should I get rid of the mattress?
Almost never. Bed bugs are treated on the mattress and frame, and fleas and mites don't require it at all. Throwing it out often spreads bed bugs on the way to the door.
Is the treatment safe for my baby and pets?
Yes, when applied correctly. We'll tell you which surfaces to keep them off until dry, and pets should be treated by the vet at the same time for fleas.
How many visits will I need?
Fleas and mosquitoes often need one visit. Bed bugs and heavy flea infestations usually need two, timed to catch eggs that hatch after the first.
Can I stay at home during treatment?
Yes. Normal insect treatments don't require you to leave. Keep everyone off treated surfaces until they're dry.
What should I do before you arrive for bed bugs?
Don't move to another room or throw out furniture. Leave the bed as it is so we can see where they are, and we'll send a checklist for washing and preparing the room.