Pest control in The Orchards, Pretoria North

Pest control in The Orchards is mainly about termites in newer houses and building sites, ant invasions in hot weather, cockroaches in kitchens, rats and mice around complexes, and the odd scorpion coming in from open land. Combat Pest Control serves The Orchards from Johannesburg, treating houses, townhouses and complexes, and pre-treating soil for new building work.

A growing suburb on old farmland

The Orchards lies in Pretoria North, near Akasia and Karenpark. As the name suggests, the land was once farmed, and it has since filled with townhouse complexes, cluster developments and freestanding homes, with new building still going on in the area. There's still open ground and veld on parts of the edges.

That kind of growth has a clear effect on pests. Clearing and levelling land disturbs termite colonies and rodents that lived in the veld, and they move into the nearest buildings. New homes built without a proper termite pre-treatment are exposed from the start. Complexes with many units close together let cockroaches and ants move along shared walls. And because Pretoria North is warmer than Johannesburg, insects are active for more of the year.

The pests that matter most in The Orchards

Termites in new and newer homes

Subterranean termites are a serious concern in a developing suburb. They enter through cracks in slabs, gaps around plumbing, and joints where paving meets the house, and they eat door frames, skirtings, built-in cupboards and roof timber. If you are building, a soil pre-treatment before the slab is cast is the cheapest protection you'll ever buy. Our page on termite pre-treatment for new building work explains how it's done. For homes already standing, we use registered soil treatments, backed by a 5-year guarantee with a treatment certificate.

Ants

Ants build large colonies under the paving and lawns of new gardens, and they come indoors in long trails looking for sugar, water and pet food, especially before storms. We use baits that workers carry back to the colony, so the nest is dealt with rather than just the trail. Our ant control service page has more.

Cockroaches

German cockroaches move between units in complexes through shared plumbing and walls. American cockroaches come up from drains and sewer lines. Gel bait inside and treatment of drains outside handles both.

Rats, mice and scorpions

Rodents displaced by building work look for food in complexes, around bins and in garages. Lockable bait stations around the perimeter keep them out. Scorpions and spiders shelter under building rubble, bricks and stored materials, and sometimes come into homes near open ground.

Mosquitoes and fish moths

Summer storms leave water standing in new gardens that haven't settled yet, in builders' trenches, blocked gutters and unused pools, and mosquitoes breed there within days. Inside, new built-in cupboards and boxes left packed after a move give fish moths dark, undisturbed corners. Unpacking boxes promptly and emptying standing water each week cuts both down without much effort.

How we work in The Orchards

For a house, we inspect the outside first: the foundation line, paving joints, garden beds and any signs of mud tubes. Then the kitchen, bathrooms and roof space. For complexes, we can work with the body corporate to treat all units and common areas on a schedule. Treatments are odourless and don't stain, and you can stay at home; keep children and pets off sprayed surfaces until dry.

For builders and owners building a new house, we pre-treat the soil at the right stage of construction and issue a certificate, which is often required for building inspections and bond paperwork.

A common mistake in new homes

Many owners of new houses assume termites aren't a risk because everything is brand new. In fact, building work disturbs termite colonies in the soil, and a new house without a pre-treatment, or with a damaged one after paving or extensions, is an easy target. If you've added a patio, carport or extension since building, the termite barrier there may be missing.

A tip for The Orchards

Don't leave leftover timber offcuts, formwork or wooden pallets lying on the ground after building or renovating. They draw termites straight to your property and give scorpions somewhere to hide. Store timber off the ground or remove it.

What it costs and why

In The Orchards, the price depends on the pest and the property. A general insect treatment in a townhouse costs less than one for a freestanding house. Termite treatment for an existing home depends on the length of foundation to be treated and whether paving needs drilling. Pre-treatment for a new build is priced on the floor area of the slab. Complexes treating together save per unit. You'll see a guide "from" price on this page, and our guide to pest control prices in Gauteng explains the factors.

Jason van Heerden owns and operates Combat Pest Control and has 25 years in pest control. Combat is a SAPCA member and holds Department of Agriculture registration under Act 36 of 1947; we aim for service within 24 hours, and general work is covered by a 3-month guarantee. Nearby Akasia has its own page, and our pest control in Johannesburg page covers every service we offer.

Call 084 200 2700 to book, or WhatsApp us a photo of the mud tubes, ants or damage.