Pest control in Welverdiend mostly deals with pests from the surrounding farmland and veld: mice and rats in homes, stores and sheds, flies around livestock, harvester termites in dry grassland, and scorpions and ticks around rural homes. Combat Pest Control serves Welverdiend from Johannesburg, with treatments that suit farm buildings as well as family homes.
Welverdiend and the country around it
Welverdiend is a small settlement on the Far West Rand, in the Merafong area west of Carletonville. It is surrounded by farmland, open Highveld grassland and mining ground, with homes in the settlement itself and farmhouses, labourers' cottages, sheds and stores spread out on the farms. Summers are hot with afternoon storms; winters are dry and frosty.
Rural pest control works to a different rhythm from the suburbs. After the harvest and as the veld dries out, field mice and rats move toward buildings where there is grain, feed and warmth. In summer, flies multiply wherever there is livestock and manure. Harvester termites stay active in grassland through the dry months. And on rocky ground and around wood piles, scorpions are part of everyday life.
The pests we deal with
Mice and rats in stores and homes
Grain, seed and animal feed draw rodents in large numbers once the fields are bare. Mice get into stores through gaps the width of a pencil, chew bags open and spoil far more than they eat with droppings and urine. Rats gnaw wiring in sheds, tractors and pump houses, which can cause electrical faults and fires. We set out lockable bait stations around stores, sheds and the house, and use traps where food is stored openly. Our mouse control across Johannesburg page explains how mice are handled indoors.
Flies
Cattle kraals, chicken houses, pig pens and dog runs all breed flies. House flies spread germs into kitchens; stable flies bite people and animals. We treat resting surfaces around buildings and advise on cleaning routines. See our fly control service for the methods we use, including for food areas.
Harvester termites
In winter, harvester termites cut dry grass and carry it underground, thinning out grazing, lawns and gardens around the homestead. They leave bare patches with small holes and fresh soil. We treat the active holes so the workers carry the product down to the colony.
Scorpions and spiders
Scorpions hide under rocks, bricks, firewood and loose roof sheeting, and come out on warm nights. They often get into houses under doors. A barrier treatment around the house and removing rubble near doors keeps most of them out.
Ticks and fleas
Farm dogs and livestock carry ticks in from the veld, and fleas breed where dogs sleep. We treat kennels and the grass around the house, while the animals are treated by their owners on vet advice.
How we approach a farm or rural home
A rural job takes more walking than a suburban one. We look at the house and then every building around it, especially where grain, feed or seed is stored. Bait stations are placed where livestock, dogs and children cannot get at them, and away from water sources and food. Insect treatments are odourless and non-staining, and nobody needs to leave the house. Keep children and animals off treated areas until they dry. Where stored grain itself is infested with insects, fumigation with registered fumigants may be needed, and that area must be vacated until it is cleared.
The mistake that costs farmers most
Feeding the problem by accident. Bags of feed left open on the floor, spilt grain swept into a corner and chicken feeders left full overnight keep a rodent population going no matter how much bait goes down. Clean, sealed storage cuts the rodent numbers before we even start.
A Welverdiend tip
Store grain and feed on pallets in metal drums or bins with tight lids, at least a hand-width off the wall. It makes droppings easy to spot, takes away hiding places and means a new rodent problem is noticed in days instead of weeks.
What it costs and why
On a farm, the number and size of the buildings we treat drives the price, along with the pest and how established it is. A house treatment is straightforward. Rodent control across stores, sheds and animal housing takes longer and usually needs follow-up visits to check the stations. Fumigating stored product is priced on the volume and the space being sealed. Our price guide shows the starting "from" prices, and we quote after seeing the property.
We also serve Carletonville and Khutsong close by, and the full range of what we do is on our pest control page.
Jason van Heerden is the owner and operator of Combat Pest Control and has 25 years of pest control behind him. Combat is a SAPCA member, registered with the Department of Agriculture under Act 36, with service within 24 hours and a 3-month guarantee on general work. Call 084 200 2700, or WhatsApp us a photo of the damage.
Questions we get asked
What does pest control cost on a farm near Welverdiend?
It depends on how many buildings we treat, the pest and how established it is. A homestead is simpler than stores, sheds and animal housing together. Our price page shows guide prices and we quote after a visit.
Is rat bait safe around livestock and farm dogs?
Yes, when it is in lockable stations placed where animals cannot reach. We never scatter loose bait on a farm.
Can you treat insects in stored grain?
Yes, often by fumigation with registered fumigants. The sealed area must be vacated until it is cleared.
Why are there so many mice after harvest?
When the fields are cleared, mice lose their food and cover and head for buildings with grain, feed and warmth.
How do I keep scorpions out of the house?
Fit seals under doors, move rubble and firewood away from the walls, and have a barrier treatment applied around the house.
How long before the rats are gone from the sheds?
Most sites see a clear drop within two to three weeks. Large stores with plenty of feed take longer and need follow-up visits.
What should I do before you visit?
Tie up or pen dogs and animals near the buildings, unlock stores and sheds, and note where you have seen droppings or damage.