Pest control in Broadacres is mainly about the pests that come with newer suburbs built on old veld: subterranean termites feeding on buried building rubble, harvester termites in winter lawns, mice moving in from open ground, ants through paving joints, and spiders and mosquitoes in summer. We inspect, find where each one is coming from and treat it there.
A young suburb on old ground
Broadacres is part of the northern growth around Fourways. Much of it was built over the last few decades, mostly as security complexes, cluster developments and family homes on modest stands, with shopping and schools close by. Pockets of undeveloped land and long grass are still around the edges.
Young suburbs have a particular pest profile. Building sites leave timber offcuts, formwork, cardboard and tree roots in the soil, and subterranean termite colonies feed on that buried material for years before anyone notices. New lawns on compacted fill dry out quickly in winter, which suits harvester termites. And every time a nearby piece of veld is cleared for the next development, the mice, rats and spiders that lived in it need somewhere new to go.
What Broadacres residents call us about
Termites, both kinds
Mud tubes coming up a garage wall, along a skirting board or behind a kitchen cupboard mean subterranean termites, and they're the ones that damage buildings. Bare, sandy patches in a lawn between May and September, with small holes and loose soil, mean harvester termites, which eat grass only. We confirm which you have, because the treatments are completely different. Our page on termite control in the Fourways area covers both, and structural treatments carry a 5-year guarantee with a certificate.
Mice
House mice are more common than rats in Broadacres complexes. They come in under garage doors, through gaps around geyser and plumbing pipes and through broken air bricks. Tiny droppings in the cupboard under the sink, nibbled bread packets and a musty smell are the signs. We use lockable bait stations outside, traps indoors and seal the gaps.
Ants
New paving laid on sand gives ants an easy home, and they come indoors through expansion joints and the gap at the bottom of sliding doors. We use baits that workers carry back to the colony, which deals with the nest rather than the trail. There's more about this on our ant control in Fourways page.
Spiders
Rain spiders, sac spiders and the occasional button spider move in from long grass, especially in late summer. They shelter in garages, behind curtains, in shoes and around outside lights that attract insects. A residual treatment of eaves, garages and window frames, plus switching outside lights to yellow bulbs, reduces them sharply.
Mosquitoes
Complex gardens have a lot of small water traps: plant saucers, blocked gutters, water features and pool covers. After summer storms, mosquitoes breed in them within days.
Building or extending in Broadacres?
If you're building a new house, an extension or a garage, the cheapest time to protect it from termites is before the slab is poured. A termite pre-treatment of the soil puts a chemical barrier under and around the foundation that's very difficult to add later. Ask your builder to book it at the right stage, and keep the certificate for when you sell.
How we work
We inspect inside and out first, including the garden, the paving and the boundary, because most Broadacres problems start outside the house. In complexes we suggest including neighbouring units where the pest is shared. Our treatments are odourless and won't stain; you don't have to leave, but keep children and pets off treated surfaces until they're dry. Body corporates can sign up for scheduled visits with a written service record.
A mistake we see often
Homeowners see winged termites coming out of the lawn after the first big storm and spray them. Those swarmers are just the visible part of a colony, and the swarm is over in an hour anyway. What matters is whether there's a colony near the house. If you see swarmers coming out of a wall, a floor or a door frame indoors, that's the time to call.
A Broadacres tip
Don't stack firewood, offcuts or old boards against the house or the boundary wall. In a suburb built on old veld, a pile of timber on bare soil is an open invitation to termites, and it's also the favourite hiding spot for spiders and mice.
What it costs and why
The biggest factors are the pest and the size of the property. Ant, spider and mosquito treatments for a townhouse are modest. Mice depend on how many stations and trap checks are needed. Termite work is priced on the perimeter of the building and the amount of paving to drill, while harvester termite treatment depends on the lawn area. Pre-treatment for a new build depends on the footprint. A guide "from" price is shown on this page, and the full list is on our Johannesburg pest control price page. We quote once we've looked.
Broadacres is part of our Fourways pest control area, and next-door Douglasdale has its own page.
Combat Pest Control is owned and run by Jason van Heerden, with 25 years of experience. We're SAPCA registered, registered with the Department of Agriculture under Act 36, and offer service within 24 hours. General treatments come with a 3-month guarantee. Call 084 200 2700, or WhatsApp us a photo and we'll help identify it.
Questions we get asked
What does pest control cost in Broadacres?
That comes down to which pest it is and how big the property is. Ants and spiders in a townhouse are modest jobs; termite work costs more and depends on the building's perimeter. A guide from-price is on this page and we confirm after inspecting.
My house is new. Why does it have termites?
Building sites often leave timber offcuts, formwork and roots buried in the soil. Subterranean termites feed on that and later move into the house. A soil treatment and baiting stops them.
Should I get a termite pre-treatment before building?
Yes. Treating the soil before the slab is poured is the most effective and cheapest way to protect a new building, and you get a certificate.
Why are there so many mice in my complex?
Mice move in from nearby open ground, especially when it's cleared or when winter starts. They get through tiny gaps, so sealing around pipes and doors matters as much as baiting.
Are the spiders in my garage dangerous?
Most are harmless, but button spiders and sac spiders can bite. Treating garages, eaves and outside lights reduces them.
How long does a treatment take?
A typical home takes an hour or two. You can stay in, but keep children and pets off treated surfaces until they're dry.
Do you guarantee termite work?
Yes. Structural termite treatments carry a 5-year guarantee with a treatment certificate.