New Brighton is one of Port Elizabeth's long-established townships in the northern areas, and many of its homes have been lived in by the same families for generations. With age comes wear: drains that have cracked, walls that have settled, roof sheets and doors that no longer seal properly. Pests use those weak points. The most lasting pest control here combines treatment with finding and fixing the specific gaps that let them in.
How older homes let pests in
In a long-established area with closely spaced homes, the same few routes come up again and again:
- Old drains and sewer connections. Cracked or open drains give American cockroaches and rats a direct route from the sewer into the yard and the house.
- Settled walls and floors. Gaps between the floor and wall, around pipes and at window frames are hiding places for cockroaches and entry points for mice.
- Tired roofs and doors. Lifted roof sheeting, which the wind makes worse, and gaps under old doors let rodents in.
- Shared walls. When homes are close together, pests can move from house to house.
What we treat most in New Brighton
Cockroaches from the drains and in the kitchen
The big reddish-brown cockroaches you see at night near the bathroom or the yard drain are American cockroaches, and they usually come from the sewer. The small, light brown ones in kitchen cupboards are German cockroaches, which live and breed indoors. Each needs a different treatment: targeted spray in and around drains for the big ones, gel baits in cracks and behind appliances for the small ones. See our cockroach treatment for older homes in Mill Park, which deals with similar buildings.
Rats
Rats follow drains and stormwater lines and burrow under paving and outbuildings. They come into homes through gaps under doors, around pipes and through the roof. Lockable bait stations placed on their routes, and closing those routes, solve the problem. More on rat control in Mill Park and nearby areas.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs travel with people, in bags, second-hand beds and furniture. In homes where family members come and go, or where someone has stayed with relatives elsewhere, they can arrive without anyone knowing. Bites in the morning, spots of blood on sheets and dark marks along mattress seams are the signs. Our bed bug treatment in Port Elizabeth explains what's involved.
Fleas
Fleas from dogs, cats and stray animals end up in carpets, mats and blankets. Bites around the ankles are the usual sign. The pets and the house need to be treated together, or the fleas just come back. See our flea treatment for homes with pets.
Signs worth acting on
- Large cockroaches near drains or in the bathroom at night
- Small cockroaches in kitchen cupboards and behind the fridge
- Rat droppings, gnawed food or burrows in the yard
- Itchy bites in the morning or around the ankles
- A bad smell from a yard drain, often a sign it's cracked or open
How we help
- We inspect the home, the yard and the drains to find where pests are coming from.
- We treat each pest with the right method, not one spray for everything.
- We point out the gaps and damaged drains that are letting pests in, so you know what to repair.
- We come back if a follow-up is needed, which is common with German cockroaches and bed bugs.
For normal treatments you don't need to leave home. Keep children and pets off treated surfaces until they're dry.
A common mistake
Pouring paraffin or harsh chemicals down drains to kill cockroaches. It's dangerous, it can damage old pipes further, and the cockroaches return within days because the drain is still open to the sewer. Covering or repairing the drain makes a far bigger difference.
A tip for older homes
Fit a simple mesh or grid cover over yard and floor drains, and keep water in the drain trap. In older homes where pipes have shifted over the years, this one change stops a lot of cockroaches and rats from coming up into the house.
What does it cost?
It depends on the size of the home, which pests we're treating and how much has to be done. A cockroach treatment in a kitchen is a smaller job than bed bugs in several rooms. Repairs to drains or roofs are separate work. If covering a drain or sealing a gap will be enough, we'll tell you honestly. We'll quote after we've had a look.
For the wider area, see pest control in Mill Park, our nearest main service area.
Call 087 012 5550, or WhatsApp us a photo of the insect and we'll tell you what it is and what to do.
Questions we get asked
Why do big cockroaches come out of my drain at night?
They're American cockroaches, and they live in the sewer. A cracked or uncovered drain lets them into the yard and the house.
Can I pour something down the drain to kill them?
It's not a good idea. Harsh chemicals and paraffin are dangerous and can damage pipes. Covering the drain and a targeted treatment works better.
How did we get bed bugs?
Most often through bags, clothing or second-hand furniture. They travel with people and are not a sign of a dirty home.
Do you fix drains or roofs?
No, but we show you exactly where the problem is so a plumber or builder can repair it.
Is pest treatment safe with small children in the house?
Yes, with simple precautions. Keep children off treated surfaces until they're dry, and any bait goes into locked stations.