Wierdapark is full of solid, older freestanding family homes, and that age is the key to most pest problems here. Subterranean termites in old timber, roof rats getting in through tired fascia boards and eaves, cockroaches in older plumbing and fishmoths in built-in cupboards are the common finds. If you've just bought, are about to buy or are planning building work, it's the right time to have a proper look.
Why age matters
Houses that have stood for decades go through a lot: roofs settle, fascias and barge boards shift, air bricks crack, pipes get replaced and new holes get drilled through walls. Flowerbeds creep up against the foundations. Original termite treatments under the slab wore off long ago. None of this is unusual in a family suburb in Centurion, but each change opens a door for something.
If you're buying in Wierdapark
Before you sign, or soon after you move in, check these points or ask us to:
- Mud tubes on foundation walls, inside cupboards or in the garage
- Skirting boards, door frames or built-ins that sound hollow when you tap them
- Droppings, chewed cables or nesting material in the roof space
- Gaps at the corners of the fascia and where the roof meets the walls
- Damp patches, leaking gutters or broken downpipes against the walls
- Missing or cracked covers on gully traps
A pest inspection costs far less than replacing termite-damaged built-ins or roof timbers after you've moved in.
The four pests we find most
Subterranean termites
Older homes with timber floors, frames and built-in cupboards close to the ground are prime targets. Termites travel from the soil through thin mud tubes, and you can go a long time without seeing them. We inspect, find the route in, and treat with registered soil treatments or baiting. Read more on our termite control page for Centurion.
Roof rats
Gaps in old eaves and fascias, plus mature trees, make it easy for roof rats to get into the ceiling. Scratching at night and droppings in the roof are the signs. We use lockable bait stations outside, traps inside the roof, and give you a list of gaps to close. See our rat control in Centurion for more.
Cockroaches in older plumbing
Large American cockroaches come up from old drain and sewer lines through cracked pipes, floor drains and gaps where old pipes pass through walls. We treat drain areas and entry points, and point out repairs that would help. In the kitchen, the smaller German cockroach is a separate problem that lives indoors, often behind old units and under sinks where the cabinet backs have softened from years of small leaks. Gel baits placed into those gaps deal with them without emptying the cupboards.
Fishmoths
Older built-in cupboards and roof spaces, with a bit of damp and plenty of paper and fabric, suit fishmoths well. They damage books, documents and clothes. Our fishmoth treatments in Centurion deal with them using odourless, non-staining products.
If you're renovating
Building work is a good chance to fix pest problems for good. Before you lay new paving, add an extension or build a patio, ask about termite treatment of the soil. When the roof is open, seal gaps and replace broken air bricks with meshed ones. When the kitchen is out, check behind and under the old units for cockroaches and rodents. It's much easier to do these things while the house is already a building site.
The mistake older-home owners make
Assuming that if the house hasn't had termites in thirty years, it won't get them now. Soil treatments wear off, and extensions, paving and new flowerbeds break the old protection. Termite activity often starts after renovation work, not before.
How we work
We start in the roof and work down: roof void, walls, cupboards, plumbing areas, then the outside and garden. Normal treatments don't require you to move out. Keep children and pets off treated surfaces until they're dry.
What does it cost?
An inspection and treatment for one pest is straightforward to quote. Termite work depends on the size of the house, how much paving or slab needs drilling and how much timber is affected. Rodent proofing depends on how many gaps need attention. We'll give you a clear quote after the inspection, and if a simple repair would solve the problem, we'll say so.
Wierdapark is covered by our Centurion team. You'll find the full list of services nearby on our Centurion pest control page. We're SAPCA registered, have 25 years of experience with older homes, and our 3-month guarantee means we come back if the pest does. Call 012 012 5526, or WhatsApp us a photo of what you've found in the roof or cupboards.
Questions we get asked
Should I get a pest inspection before buying an older house?
Yes. It's the best time to find termites, rodents and other problems, and it costs far less than repairing damage after you've moved in.
Is termite treatment needed before building an extension?
It's a good idea. New foundations and paving can break existing protection, and treating the soil before you build is easier than treating afterwards.
Why do older houses get more rats in the roof?
Over time, fascias, eaves and air bricks develop gaps, and mature trees give roof rats a way up. Sealing those gaps is the long-term fix.
Can you tell if termites have damaged my roof trusses?
We can inspect the roof void for mud tubes, damage and active termites. If there's significant structural damage, you'll need a builder or engineer to assess repairs.
Do old cast-iron or clay pipes attract cockroaches?
Cracked or poorly sealed old pipes give drain cockroaches a way in. Repairing them and treating the drain areas reduces the problem.
What should I do with old boxes in the roof?
Sort through them and store what you keep in sealed plastic containers. Cardboard and paper in the roof attract fishmoths and give rodents nesting material.