Pest control in Mohlakeng homes and shops

Our pest control in Mohlakeng covers rats and mice, German cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas and flies in homes, backyard rooms, spaza shops, taverns, crèches and schools. Combat Pest Control comes out from Johannesburg to treat the township, using lockable bait stations, gel baits and targeted treatments that are safe around families once they have dried.

Mohlakeng and the West Rand

Mohlakeng lies just south of Randfontein on the West Rand, an area whose history is tied to gold mining. It is a well-established township with older family houses, many extended over the years, newer government-built homes in the extensions, rooms rented out at the back of stands and a lot of small businesses run from home. Open veld, old mining land and mine dumps are never far away.

The West Rand sits high, and winter nights are sharp. That is when rodent calls rise, as rats and mice leave open ground and move into ceilings, kitchens and storerooms. Then the warm, wet summer months bring flies, fleas and cockroaches, which breed fast in the heat.

The main pests and how we handle them

Rats and mice

Brown rats dig under paving, chicken runs and heaps of stored material, while mice slip into houses through gaps the width of a pencil. Signs include droppings in cupboards, chewed bread bags and maize meal, gnawed wiring and scratching in the ceiling. We place lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations along walls and at entry points, where children, dogs and chickens cannot reach the bait, and use traps inside where that is safer. Our page on rodent control across Johannesburg explains the approach in more depth.

German cockroaches

Kitchens, spaza shop shelves and tavern fridges are their favourite places, because they offer warmth, food and tight cracks. We use gel bait in the hiding places rather than spraying, so the cockroaches carry the bait back to the rest of the nest. Shops and food sellers can be put on regular visits so the problem doesn't build up again.

Bed bugs

Bed bugs travel in luggage, second-hand beds and furniture, and spread between rented rooms that share walls. Each bed, couch and bedroom has to be treated, with a follow-up visit to deal with eggs that hatch after the first round.

Fleas

Fleas live in the soil and bedding where dogs and cats sleep, then jump onto people's ankles. The house, the yard and the animals all need treating together. See our flea treatments for how that works.

Flies

Flies breed in rubbish, food waste and animal droppings. In summer they gather around refuse points, butcheries and food stalls. Keeping bins closed and collected, plus treating resting areas, keeps numbers down.

Signs to watch for

• Droppings in the kitchen drawer, on top of cupboards or behind the stove
• Holes chewed in bread bags, maize meal or the corner of a cupboard door
• A musty smell in a storeroom or under the bath
• Small brown cockroaches running when you switch the kitchen light on at night
• Itchy bites after sleeping, or tiny dark spots on the mattress
• Dogs scratching constantly and small jumping insects on your ankles

Spotting these early keeps the job small and cheaper to sort out.

Schools, crèches and food sellers

Places where children eat, or where food is sold, need a careful approach. We work outside trading or teaching hours where possible, keep all rodent bait locked away, and leave a written record of each visit. That record is useful when an environmental health officer comes to inspect.

Don't use street poison

Unlabelled poison sold on the street in small packets or bottles is a real danger in Gauteng's townships. Some of it is banned farm chemical that can kill a child or a dog quickly. Rats that eat it often die under the floor, leaving a smell for weeks, and the colony carries on. Only use products with a proper label and registration, or call someone who is registered to use them.

Our Mohlakeng tip

Keep maize meal, bread and pet food in sealed plastic or metal containers, not in their original bags. Mice can chew through a paper bag in a night, and once they know there is food in the kitchen they keep coming back, whatever else you do.

What it costs and why

The price depends on what we are treating and how many rooms or buildings are included. A cockroach treatment in one kitchen is a modest job. Bed bugs in several rooms cost more because every bed is done and a second visit is part of the treatment. Rodent control depends on the number of bait stations needed, and shops on contract pay according to how often we come. The guide prices on our Johannesburg price list give a starting point, and we quote once we've seen the property.

We also work in Randfontein and neighbouring Toekomsrus, and the rest of our service is on the main Johannesburg pest control page.

Combat Pest Control is registered with SAPCA and the Department of Agriculture, has 25 years of experience and offers service within 24 hours, with a 3-month guarantee on its treatments. Phone us on 084 200 2700, or WhatsApp a photo of the droppings or insects you've found.