Pest control in Newlands mostly means rats and mice, German cockroaches, fleas and bed bugs in older homes that sit close together. Because stands are small and pests move easily between neighbours, we treat the cause, seal the way in and, where we can, encourage neighbours to treat at the same time for a longer-lasting result.
About Newlands
Newlands is one of Johannesburg's established western suburbs, a long-standing residential community close to Sophiatown and Albertville. Many of its houses are older, modest homes on small stands, a lot of them extended over the years, with outbuildings and flatlets at the back. There are corner shops, small businesses and some blocks of flats along the main roads. Families have often lived here for generations, and the suburb has a strong neighbourhood feel.
In pest terms, the big factor is how close everything is. Boundary walls are shared, roofs nearly touch, back yards lead into one another and drains connect along the street. A pest problem on one stand is usually a problem on several.
The main pests
Rats
Brown rats burrow along boundary walls and under outside rooms, and they move from yard to yard at night looking for dog food, kitchen scraps and bins. Roof rats get into ceilings where roofs meet or where old roof sheeting has lifted. We put registered bait into lockable stations that pets and children can't open, place them along the routes the rats use, and show you which holes to fill. More on rat control in Northcliff and nearby suburbs.
Mice
Mice need a gap of only about the width of a pencil to get in. In older Newlands homes that might be under a back door, around a geyser pipe or beside the kitchen plumbing. They nest in cupboards, behind stoves and in the ceiling. Traps and bait stations clear them; a door brush and filler keep them out. Our mouse control around Northcliff page explains why mice behave differently from rats.
German cockroaches
These spread through shared walls, flats and second-hand appliances. Kitchens and bathrooms are where they settle. Gel bait in the right hiding spots works much better than a spray can. If you rent out a back room, treat it at the same time as the main house. Second-hand fridges and microwaves are a common way they arrive, so check the back and the motor area of anything you bring home before it goes into the kitchen.
Fleas
Small sandy yards with dogs and cats are perfect for fleas, especially in summer. Treat the pets, the yard and the house on the same day or the fleas simply cycle back. See flea control in Johannesburg.
Bed bugs
Usually brought home in luggage or second-hand furniture, and they spread between rooms. Look for itchy bites in lines and black spots on mattress seams. Treatment needs two visits.
Working street by street
When a few neighbours on the same block all have rats or cockroaches, treating together saves everyone money and works far better. We're happy to visit several houses in one trip and give each a separate quote. It also helps to agree as a street on how bins are kept and where dumping happens, because a single neglected corner can feed rats for the whole block.
How the treatment works
We inspect the yard, the outside rooms, the kitchen, the bathrooms and the ceiling if there's access. Treatments are odourless and won't stain walls or floors. You don't need to move out; keep kids and animals out of the room until the sprayed areas have dried. For rats we may come back to check the stations and top up bait.
What people often get wrong
Using poison pellets from the hardware store loose on the floor or in the ceiling. Rats carry them off, some die in the walls and smell for weeks, and a dog or child can easily find the rest. Bait in a locked station is safer and works better.
A Newlands tip
Keep the strip along your boundary wall clear. Bricks, old timber, broken furniture and long grass against the wall give rats a safe path from next door. A clear, swept strip makes your yard much less inviting.
What it costs and why
Most Newlands jobs are a single house and yard, so the price depends on the pest, the number of rooms and whether outside rooms are included. Cockroaches in one kitchen are a small job. Rats need stations and possibly a follow-up visit. Bed bugs need two visits. Neighbours booking together each get their own quote, usually lower than booking separately. You'll find guide "from" prices on our Johannesburg pricing page.
Newlands falls within our Northcliff pest control area, and nearby Sophiatown has its own page.
Combat Pest Control is SAPCA registered and registered with the Department of Agriculture. Owner Jason van Heerden has 25 years in the trade, we can be with you within 24 hours, and if the pest we treated returns within three months, we come back. Phone 084 200 2700, or WhatsApp us a photo of the droppings or the bug.
Questions we get asked
How much does pest control cost for a house in Newlands?
It depends on the pest and the number of rooms, including any outside rooms. Neighbours booking together usually pay less each. Guide prices are on our price page.
Can my neighbours and I book a treatment together?
Yes, and we recommend it. We'll visit each house on the same trip and give each owner a separate quote.
Are rat bait stations safe with children around?
Yes. The bait is locked inside a tamper-resistant box that children and pets can't open.
How do I tell mice from rats?
Mouse droppings are small, like grains of rice; rat droppings are bigger, about the size of a raisin. Mice are also smaller and get into much tighter gaps.
Do I need to leave home during treatment?
No. Stay home and keep children and pets out of the treated room until the surfaces are dry.
How long will it take to get rid of the rats?
Usually one to two weeks for activity to drop off, sometimes longer if there's a lot of food nearby. We'll check the stations on a follow-up visit.