In Lyttelton, the same rats and cockroaches that live around the shops, takeaways and workshops near the Centurion CBD also find their way into the older houses down the road. That's why our Lyttelton work is split roughly in half: homeowners dealing with rats in the roof, termites in old timber and wasps under the eaves, and small businesses that need regular rodent and cockroach control to stay on top of it.
An older suburb next to a busy centre
Lyttelton is an older Centurion suburb near the Air Force base area and the Centurion CBD. The homes are established, many with mature gardens, outbuildings and older roofs. A short distance away are commercial premises with bin areas, grease traps and deliveries. Rodents and cockroaches don't recognise the boundary between the two. They breed where food is plentiful and spread to wherever there's shelter.
For Lyttelton homeowners
Rats
Brown rats burrow under paving, sheds and compost and come in at ground level, often through drains. Roof rats climb trees and walls into the ceiling. Night-time scratching, droppings and chewed bags are the signs. We use lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations outside and traps in the roof, then show you the gaps to close: broken air bricks, holes around pipes and gaps under garage doors. Our rat control in Centurion covers the method in full.
Termites in older homes
Older Lyttelton houses with timber floors, door frames and built-in cupboards are at risk from subterranean termites, which travel from the soil in mud tubes. Look for tubes on walls, hollow-sounding wood and bubbling paint. We confirm the activity, find the route in and treat with registered soil treatments or baiting. Bare lawn patches with small holes are harvester termites, which need a different treatment. There's more on termite control in Pretoria and Centurion.
Wasps
Paper wasps nest under the eaves, in carports and in older outbuildings from spring onwards. We treat and remove nests directly, including those that are hard to reach.
For Lyttelton businesses
Rodents around shops and workshops
Bin areas, storerooms, delivery doors and grease traps feed rats and mice. In a workshop or storage unit, they chew through stock, packaging and wiring. We set up lockable bait stations around the perimeter, traps inside and a list of entry points to close. For ongoing protection, a scheduled monitoring contract keeps an eye on every station and records each visit. Rodent control across Pretoria explains how this works for commercial sites.
Cockroaches in food premises
Takeaways, cafés and staff kitchens are prime territory for German cockroaches. Gel baits placed into equipment, cracks and crevices work without closing the kitchen. Drains and grease traps need attention for the larger American cockroaches. Our cockroach treatments in Centurion cover the details.
Flies
Summer brings flies breeding in bin areas and drains. Cleaning and covering bins, and treating the surfaces where flies rest, keeps numbers down.
The common mistake
Homeowners near commercial areas often treat once, see the rats disappear, and assume the problem is solved. With a steady supply of rodents breeding nearby, new ones arrive within months unless the entry points are sealed. Proofing the house matters as much as the baiting. For businesses, the mistake is waiting until a customer or inspector spots something; regular monitoring catches activity first.
A local tip
If you live close to the commercial strip, check your gully trap and drain covers. Brown rats and drain cockroaches use sewer lines to travel, and a missing or cracked cover is a direct route into your yard.
How we work
We inspect first, homes and businesses alike, and explain what we find before treating. Treatments are odourless and non-staining, so you can stay at home or keep trading. Keep children and pets off treated surfaces until dry. Every treatment comes with our 3-month guarantee: if the pest comes back within three months, so do we.
What does it cost?
For homes, the price depends on the pest, the size of the property and the number of visits. For businesses, it depends on the size of the premises, the number of bait stations and how often we visit. A single wasp nest is a small job; a termite treatment or a commercial contract takes more planning. If a couple of traps would do it, we'll tell you.
Lyttelton is covered by our Centurion team, and everything we do in the area is on our Centurion pest control page. We're SAPCA registered with 25 years in the trade. Call 012 012 5526 to book, or WhatsApp us a photo of the droppings or damage.
Questions we get asked
Why do I get rats even though my yard is clean?
If you live near shops, takeaways or bin areas, rats breed there and travel along drains and walls. Sealing entry points to your house matters as much as keeping your yard clean.
Can you service a small shop or workshop?
Yes. We set up a monitoring contract sized to your premises, with bait stations, regular visits and a written record of each one.
Is it safe to treat a takeaway kitchen while trading?
Yes. Gel baits and targeted treatments are placed into cracks and equipment voids, not sprayed over food areas, so kitchens can usually keep working.
Do older Lyttelton homes need termite checks?
It's a good idea, especially if the house has timber floors or built-ins, or if you've done building or paving work recently.
How do I know if rats are in my roof or my walls?
Scratching overhead at night usually means the roof. Noises low down in walls, or burrows outside, often point to brown rats coming in at ground level.
What does a business monitoring contract include?
Regular visits to check and refill bait stations, inspect kitchens and storage areas, treat any activity and record everything for your files.