Pest control in Clubview is often about older-home problems: roof rats moving in from mature trees, wood borer and termites in original timber, bee swarms in roofs and walls, and fish moths in built-in cupboards. Combat Pest Control works in Clubview from our Johannesburg base, and we inspect first so the treatment fits the house.
An established Centurion suburb
Clubview is one of Centurion's older suburbs, near Lyttelton and the military area at Thaba Tshwane. Many homes date back several decades: face-brick or plastered houses on generous stands, with pitched roofs, timber trusses, wooden window frames and built-in cupboards. The gardens are mature, with big trees, hedges and creepers that have had years to grow. That character is what people love about the suburb, and it's also what gives pests their opportunity.
What older homes attract
Roof rats in the ceiling
The classic Clubview call is scratching in the roof on a cold night. Roof rats climb trees, creepers and boundary walls, then slip under roof sheeting or through gaps at the eaves where old fascia boards have warped. We set lockable bait stations outside, trap in the roof space and then show you exactly where they're getting in.
Wood borer in old timber
Small round holes in floorboards, roof timbers or old furniture, with fine powdery dust beneath, are the mark of wood borer. Fresh, pale dust means the beetle is still active. Treatment involves applying a registered product to the affected timber, and badly damaged pieces may need replacing. Our wood borer treatment page explains how we assess the damage.
Termites around foundations
Subterranean termites work up from the soil into door frames, skirting boards and the backs of cupboards against outside walls. Older homes often had a soil treatment when they were built, but that protection has long since worn off, and flowerbeds, paving and extensions have since broken the treated zone.
Bees in walls and roofs
Older roofs and wall cavities with gaps are popular with swarming bees in spring and summer. A swarm that has settled and started building comb needs proper handling, and where possible we work with a beekeeper to remove the bees rather than destroy them. See bee removal and control for how that works.
Fish moths and cockroaches
Fish moths thrive in the dark, slightly damp corners of older built-in cupboards, bookshelves and storerooms, where they feed on paper, starch and fabric. American cockroaches come up from old drains and manholes in summer. Both respond well to targeted treatment of the places they hide.
Wasps under the eaves
Paper wasps build their small, open combs under eaves, in pergolas and behind shutters, and a large garden with plenty of insects keeps them well fed. A nest beside a door or a pool is a real problem for children and anyone allergic to stings. We treat the nest and remove it, usually in early morning or evening when the wasps are home.
Signs worth checking
- Droppings or greasy marks along roof beams
- Fresh powder under small round holes in timber
- Mud tubes at the base of walls or inside cupboards
- Bees flying in and out of the same gap in a wall or under the eaves
- Silver, wriggling insects and small holes in stored papers or clothes
How we work in Clubview
We start at the top and the bottom: the roof space and the foundations. Most problems in older houses begin at one of the two. We identify each pest properly before treating, because wood borer and termites, for example, look similar to many homeowners but need entirely different treatments. Sprays are odourless and non-staining, and you can stay at home; just keep children and pets off treated areas until they have dried.
A mistake to avoid
Sealing up a hole where bees are going in and out. The bees stay trapped inside, look for another way out, often into the house, and the comb left in the wall can attract other insects later. Leave the gap alone and call us.
A Clubview tip
Get up a ladder once a year and look at the fascia boards and the gap where the roof sheets meet the wall. In older houses, warped fascias and missing eave closures are the main entry point for both rats and bees, and they're inexpensive to repair.
What it costs and why
A general treatment for cockroaches and fish moths in a family home is a fairly modest job. Rodent work depends on how many stations and visits are needed. Wood borer and termite work costs more and depends on how much timber or how much of the perimeter is involved. The guide "from" price on this page is a starting point, and our prices page has more. We quote after the inspection.
We also cover Lyttelton and the rest of Centurion, and our pest control services across Johannesburg list everything we treat.
Combat Pest Control is owned and run by Jason van Heerden, with 25 years of experience. We're SAPCA registered and registered with the Department of Agriculture, we offer service within 24 hours, and general treatments come with a 3-month guarantee, termites with a 5-year guarantee and certificate. Call 084 200 2700, or WhatsApp us a photo of the holes, droppings or insects.
Questions we get asked
What does it cost to treat wood borer in an older Clubview house?
It depends on how much timber is affected and how easy it is to reach. A few floorboards or a single piece of furniture is a small job; a whole roof structure is much bigger. We inspect and quote, and the guide price on this page shows where general work starts.
Is it wood borer or termites?
Look at what's left behind. Borer beetles push out a fine flour-like powder through neat little holes, while termites build earthy tunnels and hollow the wood from inside. We confirm which one it is before treating.
Can you remove bees without killing them?
Where possible, yes. We work with a beekeeper to remove swarms and established hives, and only treat when removal isn't practical or safe.
Why are rats in my roof only in winter?
Cold nights drive roof rats into ceilings, where it's warm and sheltered. They often live in trees and gardens in summer and move indoors from late autumn.
Will the treatment stain my old wooden floors?
No. We use odourless, non-staining products, and wood borer treatments are applied in a way that suits the timber.
How long will the rat treatment take?
Usually a week or two before the noise in the ceiling stops, depending on how many rats there are and how much food is around. We come back if needed, and our treatments carry a 3-month guarantee.