Pest control in Constantia Kloof, on the hillside

Pest control in Constantia Kloof is driven by the hillside. Scorpions and spiders live in the natural rock and stone walls, subterranean termites work behind retaining walls, rats shelter in terraced gardens, ants nest under paving, and the office buildings need cockroach and rodent control. We inspect slope by slope, treat the shelter and seal the way in.

A kloof, not a flat suburb

Constantia Kloof is in the Roodepoort area on Johannesburg's West Rand, and its name describes it well: a hilly suburb with homes set into slopes, natural rock outcrops, terraced gardens and plenty of retaining walls. Housing is a mix of freestanding family homes, many with views, and cluster developments and townhouses. There's also a commercial side, with office buildings and businesses along the main routes.

The terrain makes a real difference to pests. Stand on any Constantia Kloof property after dark in summer and the rock and stonework is alive with insects, which feed scorpions and spiders. Soil held back by retaining walls stays damp at the base, which subterranean termites and ants enjoy. Water running downhill after storms collects against walls and foundations on the low side of the house.

What we treat most in Constantia Kloof

Scorpions

This is the call we get most often from hillside homes. Scorpions shelter in rock crevices, dry-stone walls, under pot plants and in the gaps of paving, and come out on warm nights to hunt. They get indoors under doors and through gaps where pipes enter walls. We treat the stonework and hiding places nearest the house, and the entry points themselves. Our scorpion treatments in Roodepoort page explains which species to be careful of.

Termites behind retaining walls

Retaining walls hold back a wedge of soil against the house or the garden, and subterranean termites can travel along them to reach door frames, skirting boards, built-in cupboards and roof timbers. Mud tubes on the face of a wall or inside the garage are the warning sign. We treat the soil along the affected line to cut off the colony. See termite control in Roodepoort for the method and the 5-year guarantee with certificate.

Rats

Terraced beds, thick shrubs and compost heaps give rats cover, and the uphill side of a roof is often low enough to climb onto from the garden. Lockable bait stations outside and traps in the ceiling clear them.

Ants

Pugnacious ants and brown house ants nest in the gaps between paving and stone steps. They trail into kitchens and pantries, particularly before rain. Ant baits carried back to the nest are the answer.

Offices and businesses

Office kitchens and canteens get German cockroaches, and rodents explore parking basements and storerooms. A scheduled monitoring contract with lockable stations, gel baits and a written service record is the usual answer for commercial buildings.

How we work on a slope

We start at the top of the stand and work down. Rock outcrops, walls and steps get checked for scorpion shelter. We look at how close the roof is to the ground on the high side. The base of each retaining wall gets inspected for termite tubes and damp. Inside, we check cupboards, skirtings and the roof space. Then we treat what we've found with odourless, non-staining products, baits and bait stations. You don't need to go anywhere; children and pets should keep off treated surfaces until they're dry.

Signs worth acting on

• A scorpion inside the house, especially in a bathroom or bedroom.
• Brown mud tubes on a garage wall, retaining wall or inside a cupboard.
• Bubbling paint or a soft, hollow-sounding door frame.
• Sand pushed up between pavers after watering or rain.
• Droppings or grease marks near the uphill side of the roof.

The mistake people make on hillsides

Assuming water damage is only a plumbing issue. On sloping stands, damp patches on the low side of a house often come from water draining down behind retaining walls, and that damp soil is exactly what attracts termites. If you're fixing drainage, ask us to check for termites at the same time.

A Constantia Kloof tip

Clear loose rock, firewood and pot plants away from the walls on the low side of the house. That's where scorpions and termites most often reach the building, and a half-metre gap of clean, open ground makes both easier to spot and harder to cross.

What it costs and why

The cost depends on the pest and how much of the property is involved. A scorpion treatment on a hillside garden with lots of stonework takes more time and product than one on a flat lawn. Termite work is priced by how much soil and wall line has to be treated. Office contracts depend on the size of the building and the visit schedule. Guide "from" prices are shown on every service page and gathered on our Johannesburg pest control prices page. We'll quote after inspecting.

Constantia Kloof is part of our Roodepoort pest control area, and we also have a page for nearby Weltevredenpark.

Combat Pest Control is the business of Jason van Heerden, owner and operator, with 25 years of experience in the field. We hold SAPCA membership and Department of Agriculture registration under Act 36 of 1947, and we offer service within 24 hours. General treatments carry a 3-month guarantee. Phone 084 200 2700, or WhatsApp us a photo of the scorpion or the mud tubes.