Pest control in Brooklyn most often means roof rats in ceilings, wood borer and termites in older timber, paper wasps under the eaves, fish moths in cupboards and cockroaches in rental units near the university. Combat Pest Control serves Brooklyn from Johannesburg. We inspect the roof, the timber and the garden, find the cause, then treat it.
About Brooklyn
Brooklyn is one of the established suburbs of Pretoria's east, just south of Hatfield and the University of Pretoria, and close to Waterkloof and Menlo Park. It's known for generous stands, large older homes, mature trees lining the streets and gardens that have had decades to grow. Brooklyn Mall and the offices around it bring commercial activity, and many homes nearer the university have been converted to student accommodation, digs and small offices.
Those features add up to a particular set of pests. The tree canopy gives roof rats a highway onto every roof. Older homes have timber floors, wooden roof trusses and built-in cupboards that wood borer and termites can work on for years. And houses divided into rooms or flats bring cockroaches and bed bugs with each change of tenant.
What we treat in Brooklyn
Roof rats
The classic Brooklyn call is scratching in the ceiling at night. Roof rats climb trees, creepers and boundary walls, run along branches and cables and get in under the eaves or through gaps in old roof sheeting and tiles. We bait outside in lockable stations, trap inside the roof, and point out the gaps that need closing. Our guide to rat control in Gauteng homes explains the method.
Wood borer
Common furniture beetle and other borers leave small round exit holes in floors, skirting boards, roof timbers and old furniture, with fine powder below them. Fresh, pale powder means they're still active. Affected timber is treated directly, and in some cases fumigation is needed. See treating wood borer in floors and roofs for details.
Termites
Subterranean termites leave mud tubes and hollow timber, and they're easy to confuse with wood borer at first. We confirm which pest it is before treating, because the treatments are completely different. Termite work carries a 5-year guarantee and a treatment certificate.
Wasps
Paper wasps build nests under eaves, verandas and pergolas from September, and big gardens give them plenty of sites. We treat and remove nests safely.
Fish moths, cockroaches and bed bugs
Fish moths feed on paper, book bindings and fabric in older built-in cupboards and studies. German cockroaches and bed bugs are the main problems in student rentals and subdivided houses, where they spread between rooms.
Old homes, student digs and offices
A large family home is treated as a whole, roof space included. Student accommodation works best when all the rooms are treated on the same day, ideally between semesters, so pests don't simply shift rooms. Offices around the mall and in converted houses can be treated before or after hours and can have scheduled visits with records.
How we work
We start with an inspection of the roof space where there's access, the timber, the kitchen and the garden. Treatments are odourless and won't stain old floors or furniture, and you don't need to leave home for normal insect work; keep children and pets off treated surfaces until they're dry. If fumigation is needed for wood borer, the sealed area has to be empty until it's cleared, and we plan that with you.
Combat Pest Control has been in the trade for 25 years and is owned and run by Jason van Heerden. Our SAPCA membership and Department of Agriculture registration mean the products and methods are the approved ones. Bookings get service within 24 hours, backed by a 3-month guarantee on general treatments.
The mistake we often see
Sanding and resealing old floors without checking for borer first. A fresh finish covers the exit holes and powder, so you can't see whether the beetles are still active, and they keep working underneath. Have the floor checked, and treated if needed, before it's refinished.
A Brooklyn tip
Trees here are big and beautiful, and they're the main reason rats reach Brooklyn roofs. Keep branches at least a metre back from the roofline and gutters, and cut creepers away from the eaves. Do it after the summer growth spurt, around March, not just in winter.
What it costs and why
Cost depends on the pest, the size of the house and how much timber is involved. A rat or wasp job is fairly straightforward. Wood borer and termite work costs more because it's priced on how much timber is affected, and fumigation, when needed, is a bigger job. Student houses and offices are priced on the number of rooms. Each page shows a guide "from" price, and our pest control prices explained page covers what drives it.
Brooklyn borders Waterkloof and Menlo Park, and everything we offer is listed on the main Johannesburg pest control page.
Call 084 200 2700 to book an inspection, or WhatsApp us a photo of the holes, droppings or nest.
Questions we get asked
How much does pest control cost in Brooklyn?
The pest, the size of the house and the amount of timber involved set the price. Rats and wasps are straightforward jobs; wood borer and termites cost more. We confirm after inspecting.
Is it wood borer or termites in my floor?
Wood borer leaves small round holes and fine powder; termites leave mud tubes and hollow, soft timber. We confirm which before treating.
Do I need to move out for wood borer treatment?
Not for most treatments, which are applied to the timber directly. Only gas fumigation needs the sealed area vacated until it's cleared.
Can you treat a student house between semesters?
Yes, and it's the best time. Treating every room at once stops cockroaches and bed bugs moving between tenants.
Why do I hear rats in the roof only at night?
Roof rats are nocturnal. They sleep in the roof by day and move around to feed after dark.
What should I do before you arrive?
Make sure we can reach the roof hatch, clear access to the kitchen cupboards and show us where you've seen holes or droppings.
How long does a wood borer treatment last?
Treated timber stays protected for years. We'll recheck if fresh holes or powder appear.