Most of the calls we get from Annlin follow the Highveld calendar almost exactly. Termites and ants after the first rain, wasps and flies through the hot months, then rodents and lawn damage once the cold, dry winter sets in. If you know what's coming, a lot of it can be headed off before it becomes a problem. If it's already here, we treat it properly and guarantee the work.
Annlin at a glance
Annlin is a northern suburb near the Magaliesberg ridge and the Wonderboom Nature Reserve, with freestanding homes and complexes, gardens and plenty of lawn. That puts it close to open ground and rocky slopes, so pests from the veld are part of the picture, along with the usual household ones.
Spring (September to November)
Flying ants after the first storm
When the first real thunderstorm arrives, termite colonies release swarms of winged termites. They pour out of the lawn at dusk and crowd around lights. On their own they're harmless and they don't last long. Worry only if they're coming from inside a wall, a door frame or a crack in the floor, because that means a colony is using the house. Our termite treatments in Montana and the north cover what happens next.
Ants and the first wasp nests
Ants become very active and push indoors along paving and window frames. Paper wasp queens start new nests under eaves, carports and patio roofs. A nest the size of a coin in October is a quick job. The same nest in January can be the size of a dinner plate.
Summer (December to February)
Flies and mosquitoes
Heat plus rain means flies around bins and pet areas, and mosquitoes wherever water stands. Clear pot saucers, blocked gutters, buckets and pool covers. For persistent fly trouble around a home or a food business, see fly control across Pretoria.
Wasps at full strength
By now nests are big and defensive. Don't spray them with a can from close by. We treat and remove the nest.
Cockroaches
Warm nights bring American cockroaches up from drains and into bathrooms and kitchens.
Autumn (March to May)
The rains ease and the nights cool. This is the time to get ready for winter. Check the roof for gaps, trim branches touching the roof, and move pet food and bird seed into sealed containers. Rodents start looking for warm places from April and May. Our guide to getting ahead of rats and mice has a useful checklist, even if you read it in autumn.
Winter (June to August)
Rats and mice indoors
Cold nights push rodents into roofs, garages and wall cavities. Scratching overhead at night is the classic sign. We use lockable bait stations outside, traps in the roof, and show you which gaps to seal. More on that in rodent control for the northern suburbs.
Harvester termites in the lawn
Dry grass is easy pickings. Bare, sandy patches with small holes and loose soil around them mean harvester termites are cutting and carrying off your lawn. we treat the nest openings that are in use, and the workers carry it down to the rest of the colony.
How we work
Every visit starts with a look around: where the pest is, what's drawing it and how it's getting in. Then a targeted treatment. Gel baits for cockroaches, ant baits that reach the nest, nest treatment for wasps, bait stations and traps for rodents, lawn treatment for harvester termites, odourless and non-staining residual sprays where they're useful. You don't need to move out. Keep children and pets off treated surfaces until they're dry.
What Annlin homeowners often get wrong
Waiting until winter to deal with the lawn. By the time it's bare, the harvester termite colony has been working for months. If you see cut grass and small holes in late autumn, that's the time to call. The same goes for rodents: proofing the roof in April is far easier than chasing rats out of it in July.
What does it cost?
That depends on what's being treated, how big the property is and how far the problem has gone. A small wasp nest or a single ant trail is a small job. A heavily damaged lawn or a roof full of rats needs more work and possibly a follow-up visit. We'll quote after the inspection. If a single bait from the hardware store will solve it, we'll say so.
Annlin is part of our northern area, covered in full on the Montana pest control page. We've been doing this for 25 years, we're SAPCA registered, and our 3-month guarantee means we return if the pest does. Call 012 012 5526, or WhatsApp us a photo of what you've found.
Questions we get asked
When is the best time to treat harvester termites in Annlin?
As soon as you see cut grass and small holes, ideally in autumn before the lawn goes dormant. Treating early saves more of the lawn.
Should I treat for rodents before winter?
Yes, if you've had them before. Sealing gaps and placing bait stations in autumn stops them settling in the roof when the cold arrives.
Is a swarm of flying ants after rain a problem?
Usually not. It's a normal event across Pretoria. It only matters if the swarm is coming out of the house itself, such as a wall, floor or door frame.
How do I keep mosquitoes down in summer?
Get rid of standing water around the house, including pot saucers, gutters, buckets and pool covers. If that's not enough, we can treat the shady spots where mosquitoes rest.
Can you remove a wasp nest under my carport?
Yes. We treat and remove the nest, and it's best done early in the season while the nest is still small.