Pest control in Northriding mainly deals with pests from the surrounding veld: harvester termites in complex lawns, field mice moving into units in winter, scorpions and spiders around rockeries and new paving, and ants after the rains. New building work also needs termite pre-treatment. We inspect, treat the source and set up ongoing control for estates.
Northriding's character
Northriding is in the north-west of Randburg, and most of it has been developed in the last few decades. It is mostly townhouse complexes and security estates, with schools, a few shopping centres and businesses along the main roads. On its edges there are still agricultural holdings, some with horses, and patches of open veld that haven't been built on yet. New developments are still going up.
That pattern of new housing next to open land is important. Construction disturbs soil and veld that held termites, rodents and scorpions for years, and the residents of the nearest complex usually feel it first. At the same time, young complexes have neat lawns and paving that are exactly what harvester termites and ants move into.
Local pest pressure in Northriding
Harvester termites in common lawns
In a dry winter, complex gardeners notice the grass thinning in patches, then bare earth with small holes and loose soil heaps. Harvester termites forage on the surface in cool, dry weather and carry the cut grass below ground. A direct treatment of the active holes stops them. We often treat a complex's common lawn and verges on the same day.
Mice from the veld
When the veld dries off in May and June, field mice and multimammate mice move into garages, storerooms and kitchens. Ground-floor units near the boundary fence feel it most. We put lockable bait stations along the perimeter wall and service them through winter. Read about mouse control in Randburg for the details.
Scorpions and spiders
Rockeries, retaining walls, new paving and piles of building rubble give scorpions shelter, and they wander into homes on warm summer nights. Thick-tailed scorpions with slender pincers are the ones to treat with respect. We treat the hiding places around the home and the gaps under doors. Our scorpion control around Randburg page shows how to tell the species apart.
Ants
Pugnacious ants, which bite and swarm when disturbed, and brown house ants nest under young paving and spread along foundations. We use baits that wipe out the colony rather than sprays that split it into several new nests.
Flies on and near smallholdings
Homes close to horses and livestock see more house flies and stable flies in summer. Manure management is the main fix; we can treat resting sites on walls and eaves to reduce numbers.
New builds and extensions
If you're building a house, an extension or a new complex phase in Northriding, the soil under the slab should be pre-treated against subterranean termites before the concrete goes down. It's much cheaper and more thorough than treating an existing building later. Our termite pre-treatment for new building work page explains what's involved and when we need to be on site.
Estates and body corporates
Many Northriding estates book us for a scheduled programme: bait station servicing on the perimeter, seasonal termite and ant treatments on common ground, and treatments in individual units when residents need them. Each visit is recorded, so trustees can see what was done. Our sprays are odourless and leave no marks; residents stay put, and children and pets keep off treated surfaces until they're dry.
Where people go wrong
Pulling a rockery apart to get rid of scorpions just sends them looking for new shelter, often indoors. Treating the rockery and sealing the gaps under doors and around pipes is far safer and more effective.
A tip for Northriding homes near open land
Fit brush strips to the bottom of garage and patio doors. Scorpions, mice and crickets from the veld all come in at floor level, and a gap of a few millimetres is enough. It's one of the cheapest fixes there is.
What it costs and why
For a single home, the cost depends on the pest and the size of the unit and garden. For an estate, it depends on the size of the common property, the number of bait stations and how often we visit. Pre-treatment for a new build is priced on the slab area. Each service page shows a guide "from" price, and the full list is on our pest control prices for Johannesburg page. We'll be honest if a small ant problem is something you can handle with shop baits.
Northriding is served through our Randburg pest control hub, and neighbouring Olivedale has a page of its own.
The business is owned and run by Jason van Heerden, with 25 years of pest control behind it. Registration is with SAPCA and with the Department of Agriculture under Act 36. You'll get service within 24 hours, a 3-month guarantee on general treatments and a 5-year guarantee with certificate on termite work. Call 084 200 2700 or WhatsApp a photo.
Questions we get asked
How much does pest control cost for a Northriding complex?
It depends on the size of the common property, how many units need treatment and how often we visit. A single unit costs much less than an estate programme. See our price page for guide prices; we quote after a site visit.
When should termite pre-treatment be done on a new build?
After the foundations are dug and the soil is levelled, but before the slab is cast. Call us early so we can fit in with your builder's schedule.
Are the scorpions in Northriding dangerous?
Most are mildly venomous. Thick-tailed scorpions with small pincers are more dangerous and need care. If someone is stung by one, seek medical help.
Why are there so many mice in winter?
Field mice live in the open veld nearby. When the grass dries and nights get cold, they move into the warmest buildings they can find.
Can you set up a contract for our estate?
Yes. We offer scheduled monitoring with bait stations, seasonal treatments and a service record for every visit.
Will harvester termite treatment harm the lawn?
No. We treat the active holes, not the whole lawn, and the grass grows back once the termites stop foraging.
How long does the treatment last?
General treatments are guaranteed for 3 months, and termite treatments for 5 years with a certificate.