Pest control in Florida, Roodepoort, covers a mix of old and new problems. Rats live along the lake and in older roofs, cockroaches spread through flats and shops on the main road, mosquitoes breed in summer, and wood borer and termites work in older timber. We inspect, find what's causing it and treat it at the source.
Florida's mix of homes, flats and water
Florida is one of the established suburbs of Roodepoort on the West Rand. Florida Lake is its best-known landmark, with a park and walking paths around it, and the suburb has a busy main road of shops, takeaways and small businesses. Many houses are decades old, some with timber floors and older roof structures, and there are blocks of flats and townhouses as well. The University of South Africa has a campus in the area too, which brings students and rental accommodation.
Water, older buildings and a commercial strip are a classic recipe for rodents and cockroaches. The lake adds mosquitoes and midges in the warm months. Old timber floors and trusses bring wood borer and termites into the picture.
The pests that matter most in Florida
Rats
Brown rats live along watercourses, drains and parks, and roof rats use trees and walls to get onto houses. Homes near the lake or backing onto open ground are most exposed, and calls rise sharply from May when the nights turn cold. Lockable bait stations outside, traps in the roof and sealing the entry points are the cure.
Cockroaches
German cockroaches are common in older blocks of flats and in shops and takeaways, where they move through shared walls, ducts and drains. American cockroaches come up from drains and manholes in summer. We use gel baits and targeted treatments rather than general spraying. More on our cockroach control in Roodepoort page.
Mosquitoes and midges
Homes near Florida Lake notice mosquitoes and midges on summer evenings. The lake itself isn't something we treat, but most mosquitoes that bite you breed much closer to home: in gutters, pot saucers, pool covers, birdbaths and blocked drains. We treat breeding spots and resting areas around your property. See mosquito control across Johannesburg for the method.
Wood borer
Older Florida homes with original pine floors, skirting and roof timbers are at risk. Fresh, flour-like dust under small round holes means borer is active. We confirm this before treating, because old holes may be from a long-dead infestation. Our wood borer treatment in Roodepoort page explains the process.
Termites
Subterranean termites can reach the same timber from below, through cracks in older foundations. Mud tubes and hollow timber are the signs, and termite treatments carry a 5-year guarantee with a treatment certificate.
Our process in Florida
For a house, we check the roof, the outside walls, the garden and any water features or drains. In flats, we look at the kitchen, bathroom and plumbing ducts, and talk to the managing agent about common areas. For shops and takeaways, we look at storerooms, kitchens and waste areas. Then we treat what we find with odourless, non-staining products and lockable bait stations, and give you a list of entry points and fixes. Residents don't need to move out; just keep children and pets off treated surfaces until they're dry.
Students and rental flats
Rental accommodation with high tenant turnover is where bed bugs and cockroaches often spread, because furniture and belongings move in and out regularly. Landlords near the campus often book a treatment between tenants. It's far cheaper to deal with an infestation in an empty unit than with someone living in it.
The common mistake
People blame the lake for every rat and mosquito problem and assume nothing can be done. In practice, most problems start much closer: a compost heap, uncovered bins, dog food left out, a blocked gutter. Dealing with those makes a big difference even if you live close to the water.
A Florida tip
Check your stormwater drains and gutters after each big summer storm. Blocked gutters on older houses hold water for days and are among the most productive mosquito breeding sites we find in the area.
What it costs and why
Price depends on the pest, the type of property and how far the problem has spread. A flat costs less than a house. Cockroaches and ants are routine, while rats in a large roof, wood borer and termites need more work. Shops and takeaways on a monitoring schedule pay per visit. Our guide prices for pest control in Johannesburg show the "from" price for each service, and we'll confirm after a look.
Florida is part of our Roodepoort pest control service; neighbouring Florida Hills has a page of its own.
We're Combat Pest Control, owned and operated by Jason van Heerden, who has spent 25 years in pest control. SAPCA registered and Department of Agriculture registered under Act 36, with service within 24 hours and a 3-month guarantee on general treatments. Call 084 200 2700 or WhatsApp us a photo.
Questions we get asked
How much does pest control cost in Florida, Roodepoort?
It depends on the pest and the property. A flat costs less than a house, and cockroaches cost less than wood borer or termites. Guide prices are on our price page, and we confirm after inspecting.
Can you treat the mosquitoes from Florida Lake?
We don't treat the lake, but we treat breeding sites and resting areas on your property, which is where most of your mosquitoes come from.
Do you work with landlords and managing agents?
Yes. We treat units between tenants and common areas in blocks, and can provide a written record of the work.
How do I know if my wooden floor has wood borer?
Look for small round holes with fresh, pale powder underneath, especially in spring and summer. Old holes with no fresh dust may not be active.
Is it safe to treat a takeaway kitchen?
Yes. We use gel baits and targeted treatments away from food surfaces, and can work around trading hours.
How quickly can you come?
We offer service within 24 hours in most cases, so let us know what you're seeing when you call.