Pest control in Hurlingham

Pest control in Hurlingham is mostly about large, mature gardens. Moles tunnel through lawns, roof rats use the tree canopy to reach the roof, ticks and fleas build up where dogs roam, wasps nest under eaves, and termites work quietly in damp soil. We inspect the property, find where each pest is living and treat it there.

What Hurlingham looks like

Hurlingham is an established, leafy suburb on the western side of Sandton, close to Bryanston, Craighall Park and the green belts that follow the Braamfontein Spruit. It's mainly a suburb of large stands with family homes, gardens, pools and tennis courts, plus some cluster developments where bigger plots have been subdivided. Trees are tall and old, and many gardens are irrigated, which keeps the soil moist through the year.

Moist soil, big lawns and thick shrubbery are what moles, ticks, mosquitoes and termites like most. The tall trees connect gardens and roofs, which rats use. And with so many dogs in the suburb, fleas and ticks are a constant presence.

What we treat in Hurlingham

Moles

Raised runs and fresh heaps of soil across the lawn are the work of moles, which feed on worms and grubs in moist soil. They can turn a manicured lawn into a mess in a few weeks. See our page on mole control in Sandton gardens for how we deal with them. If the damage is bare patches with small holes in a dry spell instead, it's more likely harvester termites, and we'll tell you which.

Roof rats

Overhanging branches, creepers and wall tops carry roof rats onto the roof. They're loudest in winter. Bait goes into lockable boxes at ground level, traps go in the roof, and we show you the entry points afterwards.

Ticks and fleas

Long grass, hedges and the green-belt paths where people walk their dogs are full of ticks in summer. Fleas build up in pet beds and under decks. Our tick treatments around Sandton page explains how we treat the garden and the house together; ask your vet to treat the animals at the same time.

Wasps and bees

Paper wasps nest under eaves, in pergolas and along gutters. Bee swarms like wall cavities, roofs and old irrigation boxes. We remove wasp nests and work with a beekeeper on bee swarms where possible.

Subterranean termites

Irrigated gardens and flowerbeds against the house keep the soil damp, which termites love. Mud tubes on walls and hollow skirting boards are the signs. Treatments come with a certificate and a 5-year termite guarantee.

Why the spruit matters

The green belts along the Braamfontein Spruit are a big part of the area's charm. They're also a natural reservoir for rats, ticks and mosquitoes. Properties nearest the green belt see more of all three, which is why we pay close attention to boundary walls, gates and garden edges on those stands.

How a visit works

We begin with a full walk around: house, roof space, outbuildings, garden beds, lawns, pool area and boundary. You'll hear exactly what we found and what we plan. Our products have no lingering smell and won't mark paving or floors, and you don't have to leave; only wait for treated surfaces to dry before dogs and children go back onto them. Combat Pest Control holds SAPCA and Department of Agriculture registration, and we only use registered products.

The common mistake

Many people try to flood mole tunnels with a hose or push smoke cartridges into them. Moles simply move to another part of the lawn. Finding the active runs and treating them properly works much better, and so does reducing over-watering, which brings worms, and the moles that follow them, to the surface.

Seasons on a leafy stand

Ticks and mosquitoes are at their worst through the wet summer months, and wasp nests reach full size by late summer. Flying termites appear after the first good storm of the season. Moles are active whenever the soil is moist, which on an irrigated lawn can be most of the year. Roof rats get noisy from about May, once the nights turn cold.

A Hurlingham tip

Cut a clear, mown strip along the boundary that faces the green belt, and keep hedges there trimmed off the ground. Ticks wait on long grass, and rats travel under thick, low hedges. A short, open strip makes both less likely to cross into your garden.

What it costs and why

Large stands take more time and product than small ones, so property size is the main factor. A mole or wasp treatment is usually a modest job, while rats in a big roof, a tick treatment across a large garden or termite work around a long perimeter cost more. If you want a regular schedule through the year, we quote for that. Our Johannesburg pest control price guide lists starting prices; you'll get a firm figure once we've walked the property.

Hurlingham is covered by our Sandton pest control team, and we also look after homes in nearby Sandhurst.

Combat Pest Control is owned and run by Jason van Heerden, who brings 25 years in the industry to every visit. We offer service within 24 hours, with a 3-month guarantee on general treatments. Our line is 084 200 2700; a WhatsApp image of the lawn, the nest or the tubes helps us arrive prepared.