Pest control in Murrayfield

Pest control in Murrayfield usually means termites, roof rats, ants, fleas and wasps in established family homes, plus termite inspections and certificates when a house is sold. Combat Pest Control serves Murrayfield from Johannesburg. We inspect first, tell you clearly what's there, and treat the cause so the problem doesn't simply return after a few weeks.

About Murrayfield

Murrayfield is a settled eastern Pretoria suburb, near Meyerspark, Val de Grace and Lynnwood Ridge. Most homes are family houses built from the sixties onward on generous stands, with lawns, mature trees, swimming pools and room for dogs. Many owners have been here for decades, and as properties change hands, new owners renovate, extend and replace kitchens and floors.

That age and that turnover shape the pests we deal with. Older timber and big gardens suit termites, rats and wasps. Lawns and dry winters bring harvester termites. And because so many houses are sold, termite inspections for transfers are a regular part of our work here.

The pests behind most calls

Subterranean and harvester termites

Subterranean termites travel from the soil in mud tubes and eat roof timbers, door frames, skirting boards and the backs of built-in cupboards, often for a long time before anyone notices. Harvester termites leave buildings alone but strip lawns in dry weather. Both are common in this part of Pretoria. Our termite treatments for Gauteng properties explain how each is handled.

Roof rats

Big trees, creepers and fruit trees give roof rats a route into the ceiling. Scratching at night and droppings in the roof or pantry are the signs. Lockable bait stations outside, traps in the roof and sealing gaps at the eaves deal with them.

Ants

Ant colonies under paving and in flowerbeds send trails into kitchens and bathrooms, especially before rain. Baits carried back to the nest are the effective approach.

Fleas

Shady lawns and dogs sleeping on patios or in kennels make fleas a regular summer problem. The house, garden and pets need to be treated together.

Wasps

Paper wasps build under eaves, carports and pool pump covers. We treat and remove the nests, which is safer than knocking them down with a broom.

Selling your house? The termite certificate

Many buyers, banks and conveyancers ask for a termite or entomological certificate before a property transfers. We inspect the house, roof space where accessible, outbuildings and garden for active termites and wood borer, and issue the certificate if there's no active infestation. If we do find activity, we explain the treatment and how long it takes, so the transfer isn't held up longer than needed. Our entomological inspections page explains what's covered. Book it early in the sale process rather than the week before registration.

Buying and renovating

If you've just bought in Murrayfield and you're planning to renovate, check the timber before work starts. New floors, cupboards and paint can hide live termite or borer damage. An extension also needs its own termite treatment where it meets the soil, or it becomes a bridge into the original house.

Signs worth a closer look

• Paint bubbling in a straight line along a wall or door frame
• A skirting board or cupboard back that sounds papery when tapped
• Winged termites indoors after the first summer storm
• Droppings along roof beams or on top of the geyser
• Small holes with loose soil heaps across the lawn in winter
• A dog that won't stop scratching after lying in the shade

Take a photo of anything you're unsure about before you touch it. The evidence helps us tell you quickly whether it needs treatment, and what kind.

What people get wrong

Breaking open mud tubes and spraying them with a household insecticide. It kills a few workers and destroys the very evidence we use to trace the colony, which then builds a new tunnel somewhere you can't see.

A Murrayfield tip

Keep flowerbeds, mulch and paving below the damp-proof course, and dig out old tree stumps rather than covering them. Both are classic routes for termites into an established house.

What it costs and why

A termite inspection for a sale is priced as a single visit. Termite treatment of an existing house depends on the perimeter, how much paving needs drilling and how much timber is affected, while a harvester termite lawn treatment is a smaller job. Rats, ants, fleas and wasps depend on the size of the property. You'll find "from" prices on our price guide, and we confirm the quote after inspecting.

We also work in Meyerspark and Val de Grace close by, and across Gauteng from our Johannesburg pest control base.

Combat Pest Control is SAPCA registered, registered with the Department of Agriculture and has 25 years of experience. Termite treatments come with a 5-year guarantee and a treatment certificate, and we offer service within 24 hours. Call 084 200 2700 to book, or WhatsApp us a photo of the mud tubes or droppings.