Pest control in Lynnwood often means subterranean termites and wood borer in older homes, roof rats living in big trees and ceilings, fish moths in cupboards and studies, and regular pest control for the offices and practices along the main roads. Combat Pest Control serves Lynnwood from Johannesburg for homeowners and businesses.
Big stands, big trees
Lynnwood is one of Pretoria East's established suburbs, built up from the middle of the last century around Lynnwood Road. Houses tend to be large, on generous stands with swimming pools, mature trees and lush gardens, and many have timber roof trusses, wooden floors or parquet, and built-in cupboards. Along the busier roads, a number of homes have been turned into offices, consulting rooms and small businesses, and there are complexes and newer cluster homes in between.
Older timber, big trees and established gardens are exactly what termites, wood borer and roof rats like. Pretoria's warm summers give insects a long active season. Offices in converted houses tend to inherit the same pests as homes, with the added problem of kitchens and storerooms that are empty at night and over weekends.
What Lynnwood properties face
Subterranean termites
Termites move up from the soil through mud tubes and eat timber from the inside, so damage often goes unnoticed until a skirting board crumbles or a door frame sounds hollow. Older homes where garden beds have built up against the walls are at higher risk. Soil treatment and baiting, with a certificate and a 5-year guarantee, deal with it. Read more on our termite control service page.
Wood borer
Parquet, pine floors, roof timbers and antique furniture can all carry wood borer. Look for small, round, clean exit holes with fine powder underneath. Fresh, pale powder means they're still active. We treat the affected timber directly; see our wood borer treatment page.
Roof rats
Big trees overhanging the roof make it easy for roof rats to get into the ceiling. You'll hear them at night, and you might find droppings, chewed insulation or chewed wiring. We bait outside in locked stations, trap in the roof and show you the gaps to seal.
Fish moths and booklice
Fish moths love studies, libraries and built-in cupboards, where they eat paper, book bindings and starch in fabrics. Booklice show up in damp corners and on stored papers. Treating cracks and improving ventilation brings both down.
Ants and cockroaches
Ants come in before summer storms, and German cockroaches settle in kitchens, particularly in offices and complexes. Baits rather than sprays clear both properly.
Big gardens, ponds and birds
Lynnwood's gardens add a few more pests to the list. Ornamental ponds, birdbaths and blocked gutters breed mosquitoes in summer if the water stands still; a well-run swimming pool usually doesn't. Mature trees attract pigeons and mynahs, which sometimes nest in the roof, and when the chicks leave, bird mites can come down through the ceiling and bite at night. We remove the nest, treat the roof space and advise on bird proofing so they don't return. Thick creepers on walls also hide roof rats and spiders right next to the windows.
Offices and practices
For offices, consulting rooms and small businesses in converted houses, we offer scheduled visits with lockable bait stations, insect treatments in kitchens and storerooms, and a service record each time. Treatments are odourless and non-staining, so they can be done around a working day without fuss.
The mistake older-home owners make
Many owners only think about termites when they see swarms of winged termites in spring. By then the colony has usually been feeding for years. If you have an older home with timber floors or frames, a routine inspection every so often catches damage while it's still small. If you're selling, a pest report from an entomological inspection answers the buyer's questions upfront.
A Lynnwood tip
Take a walk around the outside of the house and look at the base of the walls. Wherever flowerbeds, mulch or paving have raised the soil level up to or above the damp-proof course, termites can reach timber without being seen. Pull the soil back so there's a clear band of wall showing.
How we work
We inspect the outside walls, the garden, the roof space and the timber inside, and in offices the kitchens and storerooms. Nobody has to move out for normal treatments, though children and pets should stay off sprayed surfaces until dry. If fumigation is ever needed, for example for badly infested furniture, it's done with registered fumigants and the sealed area stays empty until it's cleared.
What it costs and why
The cost depends on the pest and the size of the property. General insect and rodent treatments are the most straightforward. Termite treatment depends on the perimeter and the extent of the activity, and wood borer depends on how much timber is affected. Office contracts depend on the number of visits and stations. You'll see a guide "from" price on this page; our price guide lists the main services.
We also serve Lynnwood Glen and Menlo Park, and all our services are on the Combat Pest Control main page.
Combat Pest Control is owned and run by Jason van Heerden, who has 25 years of pest control experience. We're SAPCA registered and registered with the Department of Agriculture under Act 36, with service within 24 hours and a 3-month guarantee on general treatments. Phone 084 200 2700, or WhatsApp a photo of the damage and we'll take a look.
Questions we get asked
How much does pest control cost in Lynnwood?
It depends on the pest and the size of the property. General treatments are the most affordable, while termite and wood borer work depends on how much soil and timber is involved. The guide price on this page is a starting point.
How do I know if my old house has termites?
Look for mud tubes on walls, skirting that crumbles, hollow-sounding door frames and winged termites indoors in spring. We can inspect to confirm.
Can you treat the parquet floors for wood borer?
Yes. We treat affected timber directly. If the damage is severe, some boards may need replacing, which we'll tell you about.
Do you do pest control for offices in converted houses?
Yes. We offer scheduled visits with lockable bait stations and a service record.
How long does a termite treatment last?
Termite work comes with a treatment certificate and is guaranteed for five years.
Can I get a pest report for selling my house?
Yes. We do entomological inspections and written pest reports for property sales.
Do I need to move out?
No, not for normal treatments. Only gas fumigation, which is rare for homes, requires the sealed area to be vacated until cleared.