Pest control in Houghton

Pest control in Houghton is shaped by heritage homes, large gardens and the rocky ridge that runs through the suburb. The pests that matter most are termites and wood borer in old timber, roof rats, scorpions and spiders in rockeries, bees in walls and moles in big lawns. We inspect the whole property and treat with care for old finishes.

Houghton's ridges, heritage homes and big gardens

Houghton is one of Johannesburg's oldest and most established suburbs, spread across a ridge and the slopes below it, between Killarney, Parktown, Norwood and Orange Grove. Many homes here are large, older houses on big stands, some of them heritage properties with original timber floors, panelled rooms, wooden roof trusses and outbuildings at the back. Gardens tend to be big, with lawns, old trees, rock gardens and, on the higher stands, natural rock outcrops. The Houghton Golf Club adds a wide stretch of open grass on the lower side.

A large old property is never one pest problem. It is several small ones in different corners: termites in a door frame, borer in the attic floor, rats in the staff quarters roof, bees in a cavity wall and scorpions under the rocks by the pool. Our job is to find all of them on one visit, not one at a time.

Heritage timber: termites and wood borer

Old pine and hardwood floors, skirting, panelling and roof trusses are what termites and wood borer look for. Subterranean termites come up from the soil through mud tubes, often behind built-in cupboards or along the slab, and hollow out timber from the inside. Wood borer beetles lay eggs in cracks in the wood, and the larvae tunnel for years before emerging through small round holes and leaving fine dust. We confirm which it is, then use registered soil treatment or baiting for termites, or treat the affected timber for borer. Termite treatments come with a 5-year guarantee and a treatment certificate. Our Johannesburg termite control page explains the process in full.

On the ridge: scorpions and spiders

Rock gardens, retaining walls, stacked firewood and stone steps on the ridge give scorpions and spiders plenty of shelter. Stings are painful and a real worry with small children and pets. A useful rule of thumb in South Africa is that a scorpion with a thick tail and small pincers deserves more caution than one with big pincers and a thin tail. We treat the rockeries, wall bases and outbuildings and show you which areas to clear. See scorpion control in the Rosebank area.

Bees in walls and roofs

Swarms in spring and early summer sometimes move into the cavity of an old wall, a chimney or a gap under roof tiles. Where possible we work with a beekeeper to remove the colony rather than destroy it, then seal the gap so a new swarm isn't drawn to the old comb.

Lawns: moles and harvester termites

Big lawns, especially near the golf course and on the lower slopes, see mole activity in the form of raised soil mounds, and in dry winters harvester termites cutting the grass. The two look different: moles push up heaps of fresh soil, while harvester termites leave small open holes with loose soil and chopped grass around them. Our page on mole control around Rosebank covers the first.

Roof rats and outbuildings

Rats find their way into staff quarters, garages and pool houses long before the main house, because those roofs are older and less well sealed. We bait the outbuildings and boundaries in lockable stations and trap in roof spaces, then list the gaps to close. On a big stand, the compost heap, the dog food and the fruit trees are usually what keeps them there.

Working on older properties

We use odourless, non-staining treatments, take care around old floors and finishes, and you don't need to move out. For a heritage home we'll explain exactly where we'll drill or treat before we start. Where a property is being sold, we can also do an entomological inspection and issue a certificate if there's no active infestation, which conveyancers and banks often ask for.

What it costs and why

Larger homes with outbuildings naturally cost more than a small house, but the bigger factor is the mix of pests. A combined visit covering rats, insects and scorpions costs far less than three separate call-outs. Termite treatment depends on the building's perimeter and how much paving or slab needs drilling, while borer work depends on the timber affected. This page shows a guide "from" price, and our pest control price guide lists every service. We quote after inspecting, and if the problem is small, we'll say so.

A common mistake

Sanding and resealing an old floor without checking for borer first. The new finish looks perfect for a season, then fresh exit holes appear through it. A quick inspection before refinishing saves redoing the job.

A Houghton tip

Keep firewood stacked on a rack away from the house walls, not against the kitchen or the garage. On ridge properties a woodpile is a home for scorpions and a food store for termites at the same time, and moving it a few metres takes both away from your door.

Houghton is covered by our Rosebank pest control hub, and neighbouring Killarney has its own page.

Combat Pest Control is owned and run by Jason van Heerden, who brings 25 years of experience. We're SAPCA registered and registered with the Department of Agriculture, offer service within 24 hours, and back general treatments with a 3-month guarantee. Call 084 200 2700, or send a photo on WhatsApp.