Pest control in The Reeds most often covers harvester termites stripping lawns, golden moles pushing up tunnels, ants coming indoors before rain, rats in roofs and garages, and cockroaches in kitchens. Combat Pest Control serves The Reeds and the rest of Centurion from Johannesburg, starting each job with a proper inspection so the treatment fits the cause.
Life in The Reeds and its pests
The Reeds is a residential suburb in Centurion, between Pretoria and Midrand, close to Rooihuiskraal and Wierdapark. It's mostly freestanding family homes with gardens, plus a good number of townhouse complexes. Lawns are a big part of the look of the suburb, and many homes have pools, braai areas and lapas.
Centurion sits between Johannesburg and Pretoria in climate as well as location: warmer than Johannesburg, with hot summers and dry winters. Lawns that are irrigated or watered by summer storms support harvester termites, moles and lawn grubs. Thatched lapas and wooden decks give termites and wood borer something to eat. And open land and stream areas in the wider Centurion area give rats and mice somewhere to live between visits to your bins.
What we treat most in The Reeds
Harvester termites in lawns
Harvester termites are one of the most common complaints in Centurion gardens. You'll see bare, roundish patches, small holes in the soil and pieces of cut grass lying near them, often worst during dry spells. They don't damage the house, but they can ruin a lawn. Subterranean termites, on the other hand, attack timber in the home and need a soil treatment. Our termite treatment across Gauteng deals with both types and carries a 5-year guarantee with a certificate.
Golden moles
Raised ridges across the lawn and small mounds of loose soil are the signs of golden moles, which tunnel just under the surface hunting grubs and earthworms. They're especially active after rain. See our mole control in Johannesburg and Centurion page for how we handle them.
Ants
Ants nest under paving, pool surrounds and lawns, then trail into kitchens and bathrooms. We use baits carried back to the nest; spraying trails just splits the colony.
Rats and cockroaches
Rats are drawn by bird feeders, compost, dog food and fruit trees, and they climb into roof spaces and garages. Cockroaches live in kitchens and drains. Lockable bait stations outside and gel baits in the kitchen take care of most cases.
Spiders and fish moths
Rain spiders and other large hunting spiders come indoors in summer, giving people a fright on bedroom walls, though they're harmless. Button spiders, which are worth taking seriously, hide under garden furniture, pot rims and in wood piles. Fish moths feed on paper and starch in cupboards and garages. A residual treatment of skirtings, cupboards and outside walls keeps both in check, and moving garden furniture and pots now and then disturbs the hiding spots.
Our approach in The Reeds
We walk the garden first, looking at the lawn, paving, flower beds against the walls, the pool area and any wooden structures. Then we check the kitchen, bathrooms and the roof space. We explain what we've found and agree the plan with you. Treatments are odourless and non-staining, and you can stay at home. Keep children and pets off treated surfaces until dry, which on a sunny Centurion day doesn't take long.
For complexes, we can treat all units and common areas together on a schedule agreed with the body corporate.
A mistake homeowners often make
When bare patches appear in the lawn, many people assume it's drought or a lawn disease and spend months on fertiliser and extra watering. If you see small holes and cut grass near the patches, it's almost always harvester termites. Fertiliser won't help; treating the nests will, and the grass usually recovers after that.
A tip for The Reeds
Check your thatched lapa and wooden deck at least once a year. Look for mud tubes on poles and fine powder or small holes in the timber. Termites and wood borer love these structures, and catching damage early saves a big repair bill.
What it costs and why
Costs in The Reeds depend on the pest and the size of the property. Ant and cockroach treatments are the most affordable. Harvester termite treatment depends on how much of the lawn is affected. Subterranean termite treatment around a house is the most involved job and depends on the foundation length and paving. Mole work depends on the extent of tunnelling. This page shows a guide "from" price, and the Gauteng pest control price guide explains it. If you only have a small ant trail, we'll tell you how to sort it out yourself.
Combat Pest Control is run by Jason van Heerden, with 25 years of experience in pest control. SAPCA registration and Department of Agriculture registration under Act 36 of 1947 sit behind every treatment. You can expect service within 24 hours, plus a 3-month guarantee on general treatments. We also cover Rooihuiskraal next door, and every service is listed on our pest control for Johannesburg and Gauteng page.
Call 084 200 2700 to book, or WhatsApp us a photo of the lawn damage or insect.
Questions we get asked
How much does it cost to treat harvester termites in my lawn?
It depends on how much of the lawn is affected and how many nests are active. We look first and then quote, and this page carries a guide 'from' price for standard work.
Will my lawn recover after harvester termite treatment?
Usually yes. Once the termites stop cutting the grass, it grows back, especially after good rain or watering.
How do I know if I have moles?
Look for raised ridges across the lawn and small mounds of loose soil, often after rain.
Is the treatment safe for my dog and kids?
Yes, used correctly. Keep them off treated areas until they're dry; rodent bait stays inside locked stations.
How long does a termite guarantee last?
Termite treatments carry a 5-year guarantee with a treatment certificate. General treatments carry 3 months.
Do you treat complexes in The Reeds?
Yes. We treat individual units and full complexes, and we can work on a schedule with the body corporate.
What should I do before you arrive?
Mow the lawn if we're treating harvester termites or moles, move items away from the walls, and keep pets inside.