Pest control in Orange Farm is mostly about rats and mice, cockroaches, flies, fleas and bed bugs in homes, backyard rooms, spaza shops, schools and crèches. We find where the pests are breeding, treat that spot with lockable bait stations, gels and targeted sprays, and show you how to keep them out without overspending.
Orange Farm and its pest pressure
Orange Farm is one of the largest settlements in the far south of Johannesburg, out towards the Vaal along the Golden Highway. It's a mix of RDP houses, self-built homes, backyard rooms and informal sections, with spaza shops, taverns, churches, schools and crèches spread through the area. In many streets refuse isn't collected as often as it should be, and open land and illegal dumping sites sit close to homes.
None of that is anyone's fault in a single household, but it does mean pests have plenty of food and shelter nearby. That's why the most lasting results come from treating several neighbouring homes together, or a whole school or business, rather than one room at a time.
The pests that cause the most trouble
Rats and mice
Brown rats burrow under rubble, dumped waste and the edges of slabs, and come into homes at night through gaps under doors and around pipes. They contaminate food, chew through containers and bedding, and can carry disease. Mice get into food cupboards and spaza shop stock. We use lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations, which matters in a place full of children and dogs. Our rodent control in Johannesburg page explains how stations work.
Cockroaches
German cockroaches live in kitchens, in the motors of fridges and behind cupboards. Larger American cockroaches come up from drains and pit areas. Gel bait placed into the cracks where they hide works much better than spraying, and it doesn't leave a smell.
Flies
House flies breed in refuse, rotting food and animal waste, and summer heat makes them multiply fast. They're a real health concern around food stalls, spaza shops and crèches. Removing breeding sites is the first step; treatment of resting places on walls and ceilings follows. See fly control around Johannesburg for more.
Fleas and bed bugs
Fleas come from dogs and cats, and from rats too. Bed bugs arrive in second-hand mattresses, furniture and bags. Both cause itchy bites and sleepless nights. Bed bugs need a thorough treatment of the bed and nearby furniture, usually with a follow-up.
What you can do yourself
We'd rather tell you honestly what works without us. These steps cost little and make a big difference:
- Keep refuse in a bin with a tight lid, and don't let it pile up beside the house.
- Store maize meal, bread and other food in sealed containers or tins, off the floor.
- Clear rubble, old tyres and scrap from against the walls; rats live underneath them.
- Close gaps under doors with a strip of rubber or wood.
- Wash bedding in hot water and dry it in strong sun if you suspect bed bugs or fleas.
- Never put loose rat poison on the floor where children or pets can reach it.
If the problem keeps coming back after these steps, the pests are breeding somewhere you can't easily reach, and that's when a professional treatment pays for itself.
Spaza shops, schools and crèches
Places that store food or care for children need a safer, more regular approach. We can set up a scheduled service with locked rodent stations, cockroach treatment in kitchens and storerooms, and a written record of each visit. Crèches and schools often book treatments during holidays so classrooms are dry and clear before children return.
The mistake that puts families at risk
Buying unlabelled poison from street sellers. Some of these products are illegal, highly toxic and have caused serious poisoning in children. Only use registered products with a proper label, and keep any bait inside a locked station.
What it costs and why
For a single room or small house, cost depends on which pest it is and how bad it has become. Cockroaches in one kitchen is a modest job; bed bugs or a rat problem with follow-up visits takes longer. Neighbours who book together on the same day often find it worth it, because one trip covers several homes and the pests have nowhere to retreat. A spaza shop or crèche on a regular service is priced by size and visit frequency. The guide price on this page and our pest control prices for Johannesburg show where jobs start.
Orange Farm is served from our Johannesburg South pest control team, which also covers Lenasia and the surrounding areas.
Combat Pest Control is owned and operated by Jason van Heerden and has 25 years of experience. We're SAPCA registered and registered with the Department of Agriculture under Act 36, so every product we use is registered for the job. Service within 24 hours is available, and general treatments carry a 3-month guarantee. Call 084 200 2700, or WhatsApp us a photo of the pest.
Questions we get asked
How much does pest control cost in Orange Farm?
It depends on the pest and the size of the home or business. One kitchen with cockroaches is a small job, and booking with neighbours on the same day can make each home's share more affordable. The guide price on this page shows where we start.
Is it safe to use rat poison from the street?
No. Unlabelled poison sold informally can be illegal and extremely dangerous to children and pets. Use registered products only, and keep bait in locked stations.
Do you treat spaza shops and crèches?
Yes. We treat food shops, schools and crèches, and can set up a regular service with a written record of every visit.
Will the treatment harm my children?
Not when it's applied correctly. Keep children off treated surfaces until they're dry, and rodent bait stays in stations they can't open.
How long until the cockroaches are gone?
With gel bait you'll see fewer within days and most activity gone in two to three weeks. Keeping food covered and crumbs cleared makes it faster.
Do I need to leave my home while you treat?
No. For normal treatments you can stay at home. We'll tell you which areas to keep clear until dry.
What attracts rats to my yard?
Refuse, food scraps, rubble and dumped material give rats food and shelter. Clearing those away and using a lidded bin removes the main attraction.