Pest control in Bellevue deals with the pests that thrive in old, closely built housing: rats in roof spaces, German cockroaches moving between rooms and flats, bed bugs in shared and rented homes, fleas, and termites or wood borer in original timber. We inspect, treat the source and, where several households share a building, treat it together.
Bellevue's older streets
Bellevue, together with Bellevue East, lies just east of the inner city, next to Yeoville and not far from Observatory. It was built up in the early part of the twentieth century, and a lot of that original housing remains: small freestanding houses with verandas and corrugated-iron roofs, semi-detached cottages, and low blocks of flats. Many houses have been divided into rooms or flats, and the suburb is densely lived in, with small shops and food outlets on the main roads.
Old roofs, shared walls and many people in a small space are the factors that shape pest problems here. A house built over a hundred years ago has had a long time to develop gaps, and when several households share one building, a pest in one room quickly becomes everyone's pest.
The pests that matter most in Bellevue
Rats
Rats are the most serious problem in Bellevue. Old corrugated roofs often have gaps where the sheeting meets the wall, and rats run along walls, washing lines and overhead cables to reach them. Refuse left outside overnight and in back yards feeds them. We use lockable bait stations outside and traps indoors, and show the owner where to close entry points. Our rat control in the Rosebank area explains the method.
German cockroaches
In divided houses and flats, cockroaches move through shared kitchens, plumbing and gaps under doors. Gel bait placed where they hide works best, and the results are much better if every room or flat in the building is treated on the same visit.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs spread in shared housing because people and furniture move between rooms often. Bites in lines on the arms and legs, tiny blood spots on sheets and dark marks along mattress seams are the signs. Treatment means inspecting every bed and couch, treating thoroughly and returning for a follow-up. See bed bug treatments in the Rosebank area for details.
Fleas
Fleas build up in homes with dogs and cats, and in rooms where pets used to live. Treating floors, bedding and yard together, on the same day as the pets are treated, is the only way to clear them properly.
Termites and wood borer
Original floorboards, door frames and roof timbers in Bellevue's old houses can be attacked by subterranean termites from below or by wood-boring beetles. Mud tubes and soft timber point to termites; neat round holes with fine dust point to borer. Our termite control around Rosebank and the inner suburbs carries a 5-year guarantee with certificate.
How we work in shared buildings
When a house has several tenants, we try to treat all the rooms in one visit. Treating one room while the next one stays infested simply moves cockroaches and bed bugs around. We can give the landlord a written record of what was done. Treatments are odourless and leave no stains. Residents don't need to move out for normal treatments, but children and pets must keep off treated surfaces until they've dried.
Before the treatment
- For bed bugs: wash bedding and clothes on a hot cycle, bag them, and don't move mattresses or couches to another room.
- For cockroaches: clear the cupboards under sinks, clean grease from behind stoves, and don't spray anything for a few days before.
- For fleas: vacuum floors and furniture well, and arrange the pets' own treatment.
- For rats: put all food in sealed containers and move refuse to bins with lids.
What people get wrong
Buying a new mattress to get rid of bed bugs. The bugs also live in bed frames, couches, skirting boards, curtain hems and wall cracks, so they move straight onto the new mattress. The room needs treating, not just the bed.
A tip for Bellevue homes
Have a look where the roof sheeting meets the top of the wall, especially at the back of the house. In older Bellevue homes this gap is often open along the whole length of the wall. Closing it with mesh or mortar is the biggest single step against rats.
What it costs and why
The cost depends on the pest, the size of the house and how many rooms or flats need treating. A single room for cockroaches costs much less than a whole house divided into flats. Bed bugs and termites need more work and more follow-up than routine treatments. Landlords treating a full building often get better value than tenants treating one room at a time. Our Johannesburg pest control prices show a guide "from" price for each service, and we'll quote after we've seen the building.
Bellevue is covered under our Rosebank and inner-suburbs pest control, and neighbouring Yeoville has its own page.
Combat Pest Control is owned and operated by Jason van Heerden, who has 25 years in pest control. We're SAPCA registered, registered with the Department of Agriculture (Act 36), offer service within 24 hours and give a 3-month guarantee on general treatments. Phone 084 200 2700, or send a photo on WhatsApp so we can identify the pest.
Questions we get asked
How much does pest control cost in Bellevue?
It depends on the pest and how many rooms or flats are involved. One room for cockroaches is a small job; a whole divided house for bed bugs is bigger. Guide prices are on our price page, and we quote after a visit.
Can you treat just my room in a shared house?
We can, but cockroaches and bed bugs often come back from the next room. Treating the whole house together works far better.
How do I know if I have bed bugs?
Look for itchy bites in a line, small blood spots on sheets and black specks along mattress seams and bed frames. Send us a photo on WhatsApp if you're unsure.
Can my landlord get a report of the treatment?
Yes. We can give a written record of the treatment for the landlord or managing agent.
Is the treatment safe for my children?
Yes, when used correctly. Keep children off treated surfaces until they're dry, and rat bait stays in locked stations.
Why are there so many rats in my roof?
Old roofs often have gaps at the top of the walls, and refuse nearby feeds the rats. Baiting removes them; sealing the gaps keeps them out.
How long does a bed bug treatment take to work?
Most bugs die within days, but eggs hatch later, which is why we return for a follow-up. Expect the problem to be cleared over a few weeks.