Pest control in Roseville, Pretoria, mainly means roof rats in older ceilings, cockroaches in kitchens and flats, termites and wood borer in original timber, and fleas in homes with pets. Combat Pest Control services Roseville from Johannesburg. We start with an inspection, find out how pests are getting in and what's feeding them, and treat each one with the method that suits it.
Roseville's older housing
Roseville is one of the older suburbs on the northern side of central Pretoria, near Pretoria Gardens and on the way towards Pretoria North. It's mostly modest freestanding houses, some semi-detached homes, and a few small blocks of flats, many of them built decades ago and adapted over time. Typical features are corrugated iron or tiled roofs, wooden floors or skirtings, back rooms and garages, and gardens with fruit trees.
Older buildings have more gaps than new ones: shrunken roof timbers, loose sheeting, cracked air bricks, worn door seals, and plumbing that's been redone more than once. Every one of those is a way in for something.
Where we start: what's getting in, and how
Every Roseville job begins with an inspection. In older homes, that matters more than usual, because the same symptom can have different causes. Droppings in the kitchen could be mice coming in under the back door or rats coming down from the roof. Dust under a skirting board could be wood borer or termites. Small insects in the bathroom could be fish moths or booklice. We check the roof space where we can, the kitchen and bathrooms, the outside walls and the yard before deciding what to do.
The pests that matter in Roseville
Roof rats and mice
Rats climb fruit trees and walls and get in at the eaves and where roof sheets meet the wall. Mice come in at ground level. Both get worse in autumn and winter. We use lockable bait stations outside and traps inside, then go through the gaps that need sealing.
Cockroaches
German cockroaches thrive in older kitchens and in flats, where they move between units through shared pipes. Gel bait is the right tool. American cockroaches come up from drains, and we treat drains and outside areas for those. Our cockroach control service has more on the different species.
Termites and wood borer
Original timber floors, skirtings, window frames and roof timbers are attractive to both. Termites leave mud tubes and hollow timber; wood borer leaves round exit holes and fine powder. We confirm which one before treating, since the treatments are completely different. Termite treatments include a 5-year guarantee with a certificate. See our wood borer treatments page if you're seeing small holes and dust.
Fleas
Many Roseville households keep dogs, and in warm months fleas build up in yards, kennels and on floors. We treat the house and yard while you treat the pets with a vet product, all at the same time.
How we keep the visit easy
Older houses can be awkward to work in: low roof spaces, narrow hatches, cupboards full of decades of belongings. We work around that. You won't have to empty the house, just clear the areas we need, usually under the sink, the pantry floor and the space around the stove, and make sure the roof hatch can be reached. Treatments are odourless and won't stain floors or furniture. If we find something that needs a separate treatment, such as borer in a piece of furniture, we explain it and leave the choice to you.
Small blocks of flats
For flats, we strongly recommend treating all units together, or at least every unit sharing the same plumbing line. We can work with the owner or landlord to schedule it, and keep a record for the building.
What people get wrong
Filling a rat hole with expanding foam. It looks sealed, but rats chew through foam in a night. Use mortar, steel wool packed tight, or metal mesh for gaps rodents use, and save the foam for draughts.
A Roseville tip
Pick up fallen fruit every day in season. Fruit trees are common in Roseville yards, and fruit left on the ground feeds rats, attracts fruit flies and brings wasps. It's one of the simplest things you can do to cut rodent numbers.
What it costs and why
The price depends on the pest, the size of the property and how many units or rooms are involved. Cockroaches or fleas in a house are smaller jobs. Rats need stations and usually a follow-up, and roof work takes longer in old ceilings. Wood borer depends on how much timber is affected, and termite soil treatment is the biggest job. You'll see a guide "from" price on this page, and our full list of guide prices explains the factors.
We also cover Pretoria Gardens and pest control in Pretoria North, and every service is on our Johannesburg pest control page.
Combat Pest Control is owned and run by Jason van Heerden, who has spent 25 years in pest control. We're SAPCA registered and registered with the Department of Agriculture, provide service within 24 hours and back general treatments with a 3-month guarantee. Call 084 200 2700 or WhatsApp us a photo of the pest.
Questions we get asked
Do you come to Roseville in Pretoria?
Yes. We serve Roseville and the surrounding suburbs from Johannesburg, with service within 24 hours.
What does pest control cost for an older house?
It depends on the pest and how much of the house is affected. Cockroaches cost less than rats in a large roof, and termite or wood borer work costs the most. Our price guide shows a starting price.
Are mice and rats treated the same way?
Mostly, with bait stations and traps, but they get in differently. Mice come in at ground level and rats often through the roof, so the proofing advice is different.
Should I treat my flat if the neighbours won't?
You can, and it will help, but cockroaches will probably come back from untreated units. Ask your landlord or body corporate about treating the whole block.
Is it safe to sleep in the house after treatment?
Yes. Normal treatments are odourless and there's no need to move out, though kids and pets should stay clear of treated areas until they're dry.
What should I do before you arrive?
Clear under the sink and the area around the stove, put away food and pet bowls, and avoid spraying anything yourself for a few days before we come.