Sandton’s Preferred Professional Pest Controllers
The Johannesburg suburb of Sandton may be more affluent than most, but it is just as prone to pest invasion as any other residential and business are you care to name, anywhere in South Africa. In fact, no part of the African continent inhabited by humans is pest-free. One should keep in mind that so-called pests only become a nuisance that require control measures when they proliferate to an extent where their numbers balloon to infestation proportions in and around human structures or horticultural and agricultural activities.
Many pest species may be dangerous to mankind too, either through their habits or because of the diseases they carry or spread. This is especially true in a busy, vibrant suburb like Sandton, the country’s economic, business, retail, entertainment and restaurant hub, where large numbers of people mingle daily.
Typical Pests We Control in Sandton
- Rodents – mainly Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice enter properties to seek shelter and a ready source of food, enabling them to nest, breed and establish large colonies. They cause damage to structures and possessions, carry and spread various diseases, including Murine typhus, bubonic plague, flea infestation, salmonellosis, rat bite fever and Weil’s disease, and bite sites usually become infected. Diseases may be viral or bacterial in nature.
- Birds – particularly pigeons, Indian mynahs (alien to South Africa), starlings, sparrows and seagulls (now also establishing themselves in inland areas like Sandton). Pigeon flocks increase in size rapidly and they chase desirable birds away from gardens, deface buildings with their constant defecation, and carry 7 or more types biting ectoparasites and lice. They spread numerous diseases, including debilitating encephalitis, which may cause paralysis, coma or death.
- Bees – although bees play an essential role in nature and agriculture, they are a threat when they build hives in close proximity to occupied buildings or when they swarm near human beings. The occurrence of bee sting allergies is on the increase; an angry swarm’s stings can kill a person, whether they are allergic or not.
- King Crickets (“Parktown Prawns”) and Crickets – they eat and damage almost any organic and inorganic materials, whilst they contaminate food with which they come into contact. Crickets are noisy and particularly irritating inside a dwelling, because they are nocturnal and their chirruping to attract a mate is very frustrating for people who are trying to sleep.
- Cockroaches – they do not only occur in dirty places or in garbage dumps; they will invade any space that offers their preferred conditions – dark places in which to hide during daylight hours, and any area where foodstuffs are stored or prepared. Cockroaches’ excrement is full of harmful, disease-causing bacteria. These pests contaminate food and create unpleasant odours.
- Ants and termites – they are almost impossible to eradicate completely but very necessary to control, especially when ant colonies invade the home or establish colonies in wall cavities, and termites infest your garden or cultivated fields.
- Ticks and fleas – these blood feeders easily migrate from one host to another and are often brought in contact with humans via their pets. Both ticks and fleas cause severe itching and carry various diseases, some of which are serious and can be fatal.
Bugman Pest Control is registered with the Department of Agriculture to control these pests and many others wherever they occur – in Sandton, other Johannesburg suburbs and throughout much of South Africa. |
