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How to control insects around the home

An assortment of insect control products

Overview

As the weather gets warmer, entertaining family and friends outside is great, but you don't want unwanted insects ruining the occasion. Insects are attracted to water, whether it's in a pot plant, a pool or an outdoor bath. The key is to keep them away, especially in the tropics where mosquitoes will breed in the water. There are a range of inexpensive and easy to use products that keep insects away.

Steps

1Sandalwood sticks

Sandalwood sticks are a natural, chemical free, mosquito repellent. The have a nice smell and create a relaxing ambience as well.

A Bunnings team member lighting a sandalwood stick

2Mosquito coils

Mosquito coils are made from a dried paste of pyrethrum powder. Once lit the coils produce a mosquito repellent smoke
A Bunnings team member lighting a mosquito coil

3ThermaCELL mosquito repeller

The ThermaCELL mosquito repeller is a butane fuelled repellent that creates a kind of force field against insects within a 25 metre area. It's portable so you can take it camping, down to the beach or to a BBQ.

A mosquito repeller being refuelled

4Citronella candles or burners

Citronella candles or citronella oil burners are a great way to repell insects. Citronella is a naturally occurring insect and animal repellent that works by masking scents that are attractive to insects. 

A range of citronella candles and burners

5Electronic bug zappers

Electronic bug zappers help make sure your outdoor entertaining remains pest-free. They attract and kill flying insects. They're ideal for balconies and courtyards. Plus, they're weatherproof and many have a self-cleaning vertical grid and insect catcher tray.

A Bunnings team member hanging a bug zapper

6Apply an outdoor barrier spray

Outdoor insect barrier sprays are a professional product that you can use yourself. Follow the safety tips on the package and before you start, put on rubber gloves. If you're going to be spraying up high, wear safety glasses and a face mask.  Spray the insecticide around the outside of your home and on your windows and doorways. It helps stop ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, paper-nest wasps, flies and mosquitoes from entering your home. 

A Bunnings team member spraying windows with bug repellent

7Fit a magnetic flyscreen

To keep flies and other insects out of your home but still let some air in, magnetic flyscreens are ideal. They can easily be attached to any metal doorframe and the magnets on the flyscreen make sure that the screen closes after you've walked through it. 

A Bunnings team member opening a magnetic flyscreen

8Place cockroach baits around the home

Cockroaches live in dark areas, such as under washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwasher and sinks. A good way to get rid of them is to place cockroach baits under these appliances. The baits attract the cockroaches, they then take the food back to their nest which kills other roaches. 
An assortment of insect control products
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.