Pest control in Kilner Park usually means roof rats in older ceilings, subterranean termites and wood borer in original timber, ants coming in before the rains, fish moths in cupboards and wasps under the eaves. Combat Pest Control serves Kilner Park from Johannesburg, starting every job with an inspection of the house, roof and garden.
A settled suburb with settled pests
Kilner Park is a quiet, established suburb in the north-east of Pretoria, close to Queenswood and Moregloed. Most homes are freestanding houses built several decades ago, with tiled or sheet roofs, timber trusses, wooden window frames and gardens that have had years to grow. Some properties have flatlets or granny cottages at the back.
Older homes in mature gardens give pests what they need: big trees and creepers leading to the roof, timber that has been in place for a long time, compost heaps and fruit trees, and quiet storerooms and garages. Pretoria is also a little warmer than Johannesburg, and that extra warmth suits termites, cockroaches and wasps.
The main pests in Kilner Park
Roof rats
Roof rats climb trees, vines and walls and slip in under the eaves or where a gutter meets the roof. Scratching above the ceiling at night, droppings in the roof space and chewed wiring are the signs. We bait outside in locked stations, trap in the roof and show you the gaps to close. Our rodent control service describes the process.
Termites and wood borer
Subterranean termites travel through the soil and build mud tubes up foundations into door frames, skirting and cupboards. Wood borer beetles leave small round holes and fine powder in older pine floors, roof timbers and furniture. They look similar to an untrained eye but need different treatments. Read about termite control and our 5-year guarantee and our separate wood borer treatments.
Ants
Pugnacious ants and other garden species nest under paving and lawns, then march inside when rain is coming. We bait them so the workers carry it back to the nest.
Fish moths
Silver, fast-moving fish moths live in built-in cupboards, behind skirting and among stored books and papers, especially in older homes with less ventilation. They eat starch, paper and fabric. Treating cracks and reducing damp in cupboards keeps them down.
Wasps
Paper wasps build nests under eaves, in carports and in thick shrubs. They sting when the nest is disturbed. We treat and remove the nest directly.
How we approach a Kilner Park home
We walk the garden, check the roof space where we can get in, look at the timber in floors and frames, and inspect kitchens and cupboards. You can stay in the house while we treat; our sprays are odourless and won't stain, and children and pets just need to keep off treated surfaces until they're dry. If a flatlet or cottage at the back shares the problem, we treat it in the same visit.
The Pretoria calendar
Pest problems in Kilner Park follow the seasons. Ants and termites become active with the first warm, humid days in spring, and winged termites swarm out of the ground after the first heavy storms, often in their hundreds around outside lights. Wasps build up their nests through summer. Rats and mice move into roofs and garages in autumn, when nights cool down and food in the garden runs short. Winter is a good time to have timber checked and treated, because you're less likely to be bothered by flying insects while the work is done.
Flatlets and rented cottages
Where there's a cottage or flatlet at the back, it's often the starting point for cockroaches and bed bugs, because tenants move in with furniture and boxes. Treating it in the same visit as the main house closes the loop.
A mistake to avoid
People often assume powdery dust under an old floor is just age, then sand and varnish over it. If the dust is fresh and pale and the holes are clean, wood borer is still active, and the new finish simply hides it. Have it checked before you renovate.
A Kilner Park tip
Look at where your trees touch the roof. Cut branches back at least a metre from the eaves and gutters, and pull creepers off the walls near the roofline. It's the cheapest rat-proofing there is, and in a suburb of big old trees it makes a real difference.
What it costs and why
The price depends on the pest, the size of the home and how far the problem has spread. A general treatment for ants, cockroaches and fish moths is straightforward. Rats depend on how many stations and roof visits are needed. Termite and wood borer work costs more and depends on how much timber is involved, and a termite treatment comes with a certificate and a 5-year guarantee. You'll find a guide "from" price on this page, and our guide prices for pest treatments list the rest. If you can handle something yourself, we'll tell you how.
We also work in neighbouring Queenswood, and our main pest control page covers the full range of services.
Jason van Heerden, the owner and operator of Combat Pest Control, has been in pest control for 25 years. The business is a SAPCA member and holds Department of Agriculture registration under Act 36 of 1947. Expect service within 24 hours, and a 3-month guarantee on general treatments. Call 084 200 2700 to book, or WhatsApp us a photo of the damage.
Questions we get asked
How much does pest control cost in Kilner Park?
It depends on the pest and the size of the house. General insect treatments are the most affordable; termite and wood borer work costs more because it depends on how much timber is affected. See the guide price on this page, then we quote after inspecting.
How can I tell termites from wood borer?
Termites leave mud tubes and soft, hollow timber. Wood borer leaves small round exit holes and fine powder. We confirm which before treating.
I hear scratching in the ceiling at night. Is it rats?
Usually, yes. Roof rats are active at night and come in from trees and creepers. Droppings in the roof space confirm it.
Can you remove a wasp nest under my eaves?
Yes. We treat the nest and remove it, ideally early in the morning or evening when the wasps are settled.
Is the treatment safe for my cat?
Yes, when used correctly. Keep pets off treated surfaces until dry. Rodent bait is locked away in stations.
How do I get rid of fish moths in cupboards?
Treat the cracks and cupboard edges, reduce damp and clear out old papers and boxes. We can do the treatment part in the same visit as the rest of the house.