Pest control in Emmarentia is shaped by water and green space. Mosquitoes breed near the dam and in garden water, rats live along the parkland edges, dogs bring home ticks and fleas from walks, wasps nest in old trees and eaves, and termites and wood borer go for the timber in older homes. We treat the house and garden together.
Why Emmarentia is different
Emmarentia is a leafy, sought-after suburb in Johannesburg's inner north-west, built largely in the decades before and after the Second World War. Many homes are characterful older houses with timber floors, steel or wooden windows and big established gardens. What really sets it apart is Emmarentia Dam and the Johannesburg Botanical Garden on its doorstep, with lawns, rose gardens, reed beds and paths used by walkers, runners and a great many dogs every day.
That parkland is wonderful, but from a pest point of view it means a permanent source of water and cover right beside homes. Mosquitoes, rats and ticks all benefit. Older houses add timber that termites and wood borer can use. Many have also been extended or renovated over the decades, and every join between old and new work is a possible way in for rats and ants.
Pests by season
Summer: mosquitoes and wasps
From the first rains in October until autumn, mosquitoes breed in still water: bird baths, blocked gutters, pot-plant saucers, ponds without fish, uncovered rainwater tanks and the edges of the dam. Most of what bites you at night in Emmarentia is breeding much closer than the dam, often in your own garden. We find and treat breeding sites and apply residual treatments to resting areas such as shaded walls and dense shrubs. See mosquito control in Johannesburg.
Paper wasps build under eaves, in pergolas and in tree hollows through summer, and nests are biggest by February. We remove them and treat the site.
Winter: rats
When nights get cold, rats that spent summer in the reed beds, compost heaps and dense garden borders move into roof spaces and garages. Roof rats climb the big trees; brown rats come in at ground level. Lockable bait stations outdoors, traps inside and sealing the gaps under eaves and around pipes is the approach.
All year: ticks and fleas
Dogs walked around the dam and through long grass pick up ticks, and fleas thrive in shady gardens where pets lie. We treat the garden, kennel area and house, and you treat the dogs with a vet product on the same day. Our tick treatments in the Northcliff area go into more detail.
Hidden: termites and wood borer
In older homes, look for mud tubes on foundation walls, hollow-sounding skirting boards and small round holes with fine dust in floors. Termites and borer need different treatments, so we identify which one it is first. Our termite control around Northcliff treatments carry a 5-year guarantee with a certificate.
What our visit looks like
We start outside, because that's where the cause usually is: water features, gutters, compost, the dog's favourite spot and the trees touching the roof. Then we check inside, including the roof space and under timber floors where we can. Treatments are odourless and non-staining, and you don't have to leave home. Keep pets and children off treated surfaces until dry. Because many Emmarentia gardens have ponds with fish or frogs, we take care to keep treatments well away from water.
A common misunderstanding
People often assume the dam is to blame for all their mosquitoes and that nothing can be done. In practice, most biting mosquitoes come from small pockets of water within a few metres of the house. Tipping out saucers, clearing gutters and keeping fish in ponds makes a real difference, and a professional treatment of resting areas helps through the peak months.
An Emmarentia tip
After walking the dog at the dam, check its ears, between the toes and under the collar before it goes back inside. Catching ticks at the door is far easier than treating a house once they've settled in the dog's bedding.
What it costs and why
Mosquito and wasp treatments are usually quick, modest jobs, though mosquitoes may need a repeat in a wet summer. Tick and flea work depends on the size of the garden. Rodent work is priced on how many stations go out and how many return visits it takes. Termite and borer work costs more and is quoted after inspection, based on the perimeter and the amount of timber involved. You can see guide "from" prices on our pest control prices page.
Emmarentia is covered by our Northcliff area pest control, and we also work in neighbouring Linden.
Combat Pest Control has 25 years of experience under owner Jason van Heerden. We're SAPCA registered and registered with the Department of Agriculture under Act 36, we can usually be with you within 24 hours, and general treatments carry a 3-month guarantee. Call 084 200 2700, or send us a photo of the pest on WhatsApp.
Questions we get asked
How much does mosquito control cost in Emmarentia?
It's usually a modest job, priced on the size of the garden and the number of breeding sites. A wet summer may need a repeat visit. Guide prices are on our price page.
Can you get rid of mosquitoes if I live next to the dam?
You can cut them down a lot. Most biting mosquitoes breed close to the house, so clearing standing water and treating resting areas makes a big difference.
Will the treatment harm the fish in my pond?
No. We keep treatments well away from ponds and water features, and tell you exactly where we've treated.
My dog keeps bringing ticks home. What can you do?
We treat the garden, kennel area and house, and you treat the dog with a vet product the same day. Checking the dog after walks helps too.
There are tiny holes in my parquet. Should I worry?
Possibly. Small round holes with fresh, fine powder beneath them suggest active wood borer; mud tubes and hollow-sounding timber suggest termites. We check which it is before treating.
Do I have to leave home during treatment?
No. You can stay. Keep pets and children off treated surfaces until they're dry.