Weather experts have advised Aussies to brace for several more months of downpours, given that heavy rain and high humidity are set to continue for much longer than expected.

This means that aside from dealing with nasty mould caused by the excessive moisture in the air, homeowners have to watch out for another hugely annoying problem – insects!

According to Matt Jones, service innovation and development manager at the pest-control company Rentokil, there may be several ways to get rid of insects at home but the best way to minimise their damage is still prevention.

"It's the peak time at the moment, this is when they'll be coming into your house and it's a great opportunity to identify a problem and get on top of it," said Mr Jones.

To deter them from entering our homes, it's best to make sure that those pesky critters don't have a way to sneak in.

Make sure that the gap between your door and the ground is properly sealed. Credit: Nine.​

The first place to check is the seal of your front door – make sure that it is actually sealing the gap between the door and the ground. Otherwise, insects can simply crawl through and get inside.

If you have indoor plants, Mr Jones suggests letting them completely dry out in between watering, as they may attract insects inside the house.

And for the kitchen, which is probably the most bug-infested area in the house, the expert advises checking for dark corners and spots where they might be hiding. Using a flashlight might be helpful!

"It's very important you're removing any food sources. Cockroaches love the heat and the coffee grounds from the coffee machine," he added.

Also, make sure you're regularly removing any leftover bread crumbs from your toaster!

Always check your indoor plants for any stagnant water. Credit: Nine.​

However, if you find that pesky flies have already entered your home, here's a trick to deal with them!

"What you're going to do is get yourself a bowl, and fill it up with apple cider vinegar and add in a couple of drops of lavender oil," said Anita Birges, a professional organiser at Mise en Place.

"And this is the secret, I want you to grab some Paddle Pop sticks and let them soak for about an hour, then you're going to grab those Paddle Pop sticks and put them in the fruit bowl."

The fruit bowl hack is supposed to keep off fruit flies from any area in your home, especially the kitchen.

And to deter slugs and snails from your garden area, all you need is ground coffee.

Simply place spoonfuls of ground coffee along the footpath and you'll stop these critters from making their way into your home. As easy as that!

But if you find that after all these prevention tips and hacks and bugs are still infesting your home, we suggest calling in the professionals.

Do you have more insect proofing tips and tricks? Share them with us in the comments below!

For more tips and tricks on how to get rid of insects at home, check out this video below:

Credit: BRIGHT SIDE.​

 

[Liz]

I have just have my place professionally sprayed and I and my cat didn't have to escape for several hours. The pest controller used something called "Fipronil"? spelling. It was harmless to both of us. Hopefully it will keep the pests at bay. Apparently there is a law that the spraying cannot be toxic to humans or animals which is great for me with lung issues and great for my cat as she cannot be affected either.

 

[Mistydolphin1]

A great way of keeping flies away - put Lemongrass oil in your incense burner, they seem to hate the smell.

 

[JayKay]

HELP.....
Does anyone have any great hints for destroying cockroaches?
My son in Sydney is overrun by them.
He rents a bungalow, he's tried every commercial product which Bunnings sells and lots of handy hint type ideas as well, but they are always there.....even inside his computer and under the keyboard.

 

[Ricci]

I rarely seem to get bugs in the house but I do get frogs! Little, bright green tree frogs. Every so often I will see one halfway up the wall so spend a few minutes of hilarity trying to catch it and then return it to the garden,

 

[Liz]

I rarely seem to get bugs in the house but I do get frogs! Little, bright green tree frogs. Every so often I will see one halfway up the wall so spend a few minutes of hilarity trying to catch it and then return it to the garden,

You have a very healthy environment then Ricci.

 

[Ricci]

You have a very healthy environment then Ricci.

Just last night I found a little (1 inch long) frog trying to scale the kitchen cabinets. It took me about 10 minutes to catch him and he's now back in the garden where he belongs.

 

[Pat T]

HELP.....
Does anyone have any great hints for destroying cockroaches?
My son in Sydney is overrun by them.
He rents a bungalow, he's tried every commercial product which Bunnings sells and lots of handy hint type ideas as well, but they are always there.....even inside his computer and under the keyboard.

 

[Pat T]

Years ago we paid a pest controller $400 to spray our house. Two months later the spiders were back. Now we do our own Every 3 months we get 2x3 packs of Mortein bombs $24 Coles. Found them the best. Place them around the house, close all doors and windows, set off bombs, make quick exit , and come back 6 hours +. Will continue to get dead ants, any dead cockroaches and spiders . Do it every 3 months and you will keep on top of them all $100 a year.

 

[JayKay]

Years ago we paid a pest controller $400 to spray our house. Two months later the spiders were back. Now we do our own Every 3 months we get 2x3 packs of Mortein bombs $24 Coles. Found them the best. Place them around the house, close all doors and windows, set off bombs, make quick exit , and come back 6 hours +. Will continue to get dead ants, any dead cockroaches and spiders . Do it every 3 months and you will keep on top of them all $100 a year.

Thanks, Pat.
I'm delighted the DIY bombs worked for you.
My son has tried them in the bungalow he is renting, with very little effect.
Some of his big roaches met their demise, but the smaller strain are as abundant as ever.
He had to undo his computer again last week, as the smaller variety had taken up residence there, and there was a clicking noise inside the cavity.
He "blew" them out with a puffer gizmo he has, and has placed anti cockroach gel inside the computer, hoping to deter them.
They even appear out of the walls in the shower.
If other renting was available, he'd move, but with the floods in NSW, rental accommodation is virtually unavailable and exorbitantly priced.

 

[Pat T]

Thanks, Pat.
I'm delighted the DIY bombs worked for you.
My son has tried them in the bungalow he is renting, with very little effect.
Some of his big roaches met their demise, but the smaller strain are as abundant as ever.
He had to undo his computer again last week, as the smaller variety had taken up residence there, and there was a clicking noise inside the cavity.
He "blew" them out with a puffer gizmo he has, and has placed anti cockroach gel inside the computer, hoping to deter them.
They even appear out of the walls in the shower.
If other renting was available, he'd move, but with the floods in NSW, rental accommodation is virtually unavailable and exorbitantly priced.

The big roaches( you can just about ride them) usually fly in or come in through an open door etc. They breed in palms and banana plants and easier to get rid of. The smaller ones often breed between the walls, especially in timber buildings and a much harder to get rid of.

 

[JayKay]

Exactly .....the biggies (elephants with wings) come through the gap under the door, despite blocking it with everything conceivable, they still get in.
They also get in around a tiny gap around the window frame, despite all attempts to block this too.
Yes, the littlies breed in any cavity they can find.
These even crawl over my son's fingers when working on the keyboard, and they just won't lie down and die! No matter how they are attacked!