If you're in Magalieskruin and your lawn is ridged, bare or full of small holes, you've got moles, harvester termites, or both. They're the two most common reasons people here call us, and they need completely different treatments. Ants coming into the kitchen, millipedes after rain and rodents in winter round out the list. We deal with all of them in ways that don't wreck the garden you've built.
Why gardens drive the pests here
Magalieskruin lies on the northern side of the city near the Magaliesberg ridge, with freestanding homes, some complexes and a lot of established gardens. Rocky slopes, irrigated lawns, flowerbeds and veggie patches all hold food and shelter for something. Pests usually start in the garden and only some of them make it into the house. So we start there too.
Moles
Golden moles tunnel just under the surface hunting for grubs and earthworms. The signs are raised ridges across the lawn, soft spots that sink under your foot, and the odd mound of loose soil. Well-watered lawns with plenty of grubs are what draw them. Our mole control in the Montana area deals with them without digging up half the garden.
Harvester termites
These cut grass and take it underground. In a dry Highveld winter they can turn a green lawn into sandy patches. Small round holes, little heaps of loose soil and short, cut grass blades lying around are the giveaway. You'll often see the workers out foraging late in the afternoon or on overcast days. We treat the active openings so the colony carries the product down to the nest.
Ants
Ants farm aphids on roses and fruit trees, nest under paving and follow irrigation pipes to the house. Spraying a trail kills the workers you see and leaves the nest untouched. Bait that the workers carry back is what finishes it off. More on that in our ant treatments for northern Pretoria.
Millipedes and centipedes
After a good summer downpour, millipedes can come up out of flowerbeds and mulch in surprising numbers and end up on patios and inside doors. They don't bite and they don't damage the house, but large numbers are unpleasant. Centipedes are fewer and faster and hunt other insects. For both, reducing thick mulch and leaf litter against the walls makes a big difference, and a barrier treatment around the house handles the rest. Read about millipede control across Pretoria if they've become a regular visitor.
Rodents in winter
Compost heaps, fallen fruit, bird feeders and veggie gardens are a winter food supply for rats and mice. Once nights turn cold, they move into roofs and garages. We use lockable bait stations, placed where pets, birds and other animals can't reach the bait, plus traps indoors.
How we protect the garden while we treat
- We only treat where the pest is active, not the whole garden.
- Ant baits and termite treatments are placed at nests and openings, not sprayed across flowerbeds.
- Bait stations are lockable and tamper-resistant.
- Residual sprays around the house are odourless and don't stain paving or walls.
- You don't need to leave home. Keep kids and pets off treated areas until dry.
The thing gardeners often get wrong
Over-watering to fix a lawn that harvester termites are eating. It doesn't help while the termites are active, and a soggy, grub-rich lawn is exactly what attracts moles. You can end up swapping one problem for another. Treat the termites first, water sensibly, and the lawn recovers.
One tip for slopes and rockeries
On sloped stands, water and mulch collect at the bottom of the garden and against the lower walls of the house. Keep a strip of bare, dry ground or gravel along that lower wall. It keeps millipedes, ants and termites from using damp soil as a bridge into the house.
What does it cost?
It depends on what we're treating and how big the area is. A lawn treatment is priced on the size of the affected area. Moles depend on how many runs are active. Ants, millipedes and rodents depend on the property size and the number of visits. We quote after looking, and if the problem is small, we'll tell you how to handle it yourself.
The full list of what we do in the north is on our Montana pest control page, and neighbours in Sinoville see a similar mix. We're SAPCA registered with 25 years behind us, and our 3-month guarantee means a return visit if the pest comes back. Call 012 012 5526, or WhatsApp us a photo of the lawn.
Questions we get asked
How do I know if it's moles or harvester termites in my lawn?
Moles leave raised ridges and soft tunnels under the surface. Harvester termites leave small round holes, loose soil and cut grass on top of bare patches. Some lawns have both.
Are your treatments safe for my veggie garden?
We don't spray food plants. Treatments are targeted at nests, openings and the house perimeter, and we'll tell you if anything near the veggies needs extra care.
Why are there so many millipedes after rain?
Rain drives them up out of soil, mulch and leaf litter. Large numbers are a seasonal event, and cutting back mulch near the house helps a lot.
Will bait stations harm birds in the garden?
The stations are lockable and tamper-resistant, so birds and pets can't reach the bait inside. We place them along walls and runs that rodents use.
Can I get rid of moles myself?
Sometimes, with a trap and some patience, if it's a single mole. If the whole lawn is ridged or they keep coming back, a professional treatment is usually quicker.
Do ants on my roses need treating?
Only if they're also coming into the house or the aphids are getting out of hand. Dealing with the aphids often reduces the ants on the plant.