If your Zwartkop home is near the Hennops River or the golf course, the pests you deal with most are likely to be rats coming up from the riverbank, mosquitoes and midges on summer evenings, moles in the lawn, and centipedes and millipedes in damp corners of the garden. The river and the open green space are a big part of why people like the area. They're also what these pests depend on.
The river factor
Zwartkop is a Centurion suburb near Zwartkop Golf Club and the Hennops River. Rivers bring water, reeds, thick vegetation along the banks and a steady supply of food. Rodents nest there. Mosquitoes breed in still water at the edges. Soft, moist soil suits moles and earthworms, and leaf litter keeps millipedes and centipedes going. Homes closest to the river and the course see the most of this, and the effect gets weaker as you move away.
Rats from the riverbank
Brown rats are diggers and swimmers, and riverbanks suit them well. They burrow into banks, under sheds and beneath compost heaps, and come into properties through gaps in walls, drains and under garage doors. Burrows along boundary walls, droppings in the garage and gnawed irrigation pipes are the signs. We place lockable, tamper-resistant bait stations along the boundary closest to the river, traps indoors where needed, and help you close the gaps. Read more on rat control in Centurion, or see our practical guide to getting rid of rats.
Mosquitoes and midges
You can't treat a river, and you shouldn't try. What you can do is remove the breeding sites around your own home, which are often responsible for more bites than the river: blocked gutters, pot plant saucers, birdbaths that aren't changed, buckets and toys left in the rain, and pool covers holding water. Once those are dealt with, we can treat the sheltered places around the house where adult mosquitoes rest during the day. Our flying insect control in Centurion explains what's involved.
Moles in soft, damp lawns
Golden moles push up ridges across lawns as they hunt for worms and grubs. Damp, soft soil near the river and well-watered gardens near the course suit them. Flattening the ridges doesn't move them on. See our mole control in Centurion for how we deal with them.
Centipedes and millipedes
Damp gardens with mulch, leaf litter and shady beds are home to both. Millipedes appear in large numbers after summer rain and wander indoors under doors. Centipedes are fast, hunt other insects, and can give a painful bite if handled. A barrier treatment around the outside of the house keeps most of them out, and reducing thick mulch against the walls helps. There's more on centipede control in Centurion.
Other pests in Zwartkop
Ants follow irrigation lines into kitchens, paper wasps build under eaves in summer, and termites, both the lawn-eating harvester kind and the subterranean kind that attack timber, are common across Centurion. We check for all of them on an inspection.
What people tend to get wrong
Assuming that because the river is the source, there's nothing to be done. You can't change the river, but you can control what crosses your boundary. A ring of bait stations along the river side, a clear strip along the wall, and sealed gaps at ground level make a large difference to rodent activity.
A tip for riverside homes
Keep the strip along the river-facing wall clear of compost, wood piles, thick creepers and long grass. Rodents prefer to travel under cover, and open ground between the river and your house discourages them.
How we work
We inspect the property, with special attention to the boundary closest to the river, and agree on a plan. Our insect treatments are odourless and non-staining, and you don't need to leave home. Keep children and pets off treated areas until dry. For homes right on the river, ongoing rodent monitoring often works better than a single treatment.
What does it cost?
It depends on the pest, the size of the property and how close you are to the river, which affects how many bait stations and follow-up visits are needed. A barrier treatment for millipedes or a wasp nest is a small job. Ongoing rodent monitoring is quoted on the number of stations and visits. If emptying a few water traps would deal with your mosquitoes, we'll say so.
Zwartkop is served by our Centurion team, and the full picture is on our Centurion pest control page. We're SAPCA registered, have 25 years of experience, and our 3-month guarantee means we return if the pest does. Call 012 012 5526, or WhatsApp us a photo.
Questions we get asked
Can you treat the Hennops River for mosquitoes?
No. Treating a river isn't appropriate or effective. We focus on breeding sites on your property and the places around the house where adult mosquitoes rest.
Why do I have rats if I live near the golf course, not the river?
Golf courses and green belts also give rodents cover and food, and rats travel along them. Bait stations along the boundary closest to the open space help.
Are centipedes dangerous?
Most are harmless to people, but larger ones can give a painful bite if handled. Keep children from picking them up, and treat around the house if they're coming indoors.
Do millipedes damage the house?
No. They feed on decaying plant material and don't damage buildings. They're a nuisance when they wander indoors after rain.
Will bait stations harm birds near the river?
The bait is locked inside tamper-resistant stations that birds can't get into, and we place them where wildlife is unlikely to reach them.
How often should riverside homes have rodent checks?
Regularly, especially from autumn into winter. For homes right on the river, a scheduled monitoring service is usually the most effective approach.