If you've ever walked into your kitchen to find a trail of ants marching across the bench, or spotted a cockroach scuttling behind the fridge, you know that sinking feeling. Pests are stressful — and when you've got little ones or pets at home, reaching for a can of chemical spray doesn't feel like the right answer either.
Quick Answer: Many common Australian household pests — including ants, cockroaches, flies, geckos, and bed bugs — can be managed with natural remedies like peppermint oil, bicarb soda, diatomaceous earth, and simple cleaning habits. The key is matching the right remedy to the right pest, and knowing which methods are backed by evidence.
Why Go Natural With Pest Control?
Chemical pesticides work, but they come with trade-offs — especially in homes with children and pets. Natural remedies won't eliminate a serious infestation (that's when you call a licensed pest controller), but for everyday prevention and mild problems, they're a safer starting point. Many ingredients are things you'll already have in the pantry.
The golden rule is prevention. Pests are attracted to food scraps, moisture, and clutter. A clean, well-maintained home is your first and best line of defence.
How to Get Rid of House Flies Naturally
Flies are one of the most common — and most irritating — household pests. They land on your food, spread bacteria, and breed in drains and rubbish bins. The good news? Several natural repellents are backed by solid research.
Peppermint and Herb Sprays
According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, peppermint oil showed strong repellent action against flies, remaining effective for up to six days after application. The active compounds — menthol and menthone — interfere with fly olfactory receptors.
To make a peppermint spray: Add 10–15 drops of peppermint essential oil to 250 ml of water in a spray bottle. Spritz around doorways, windows, and kitchen surfaces.
Plants That Repel Flies
Basil, lavender, marigold, and bay leaves are all natural fly deterrents. Place potted basil on your kitchen windowsill or plant lavender near entry points. These herbs do double duty — they repel flies and give your home a fresh, pleasant scent.
Clean Your Drains
Flies often breed in drain pipes where organic matter builds up. Once a week, pour very hot water down kitchen and bathroom drains — let the kettle cool slightly first, as very hot water can soften PVC pipe joints — then follow with a cup of white vinegar. The acid helps dissolve the grime that attracts drain flies. Skip the popular vinegar-and-bicarb fizz: mixed together, the two mostly neutralise each other.
How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally
One day your kitchen is ant-free. The next, there's a trail from the back door to the sugar jar. Ants are persistent, but several natural methods can help.
Soapy Water Spray
A simple mixture of dish soap and water in a spray bottle is effective for killing ants on contact and wiping out their scent trails. Spray directly on visible ants and along the line where they're entering.
Bicarb Soda and Sugar Bait
Mix equal parts bicarb soda and sugar. Place the mixture in shallow containers near ant entry points. The sugar attracts the ants, while the bicarb soda is said to disrupt their digestive system. Be aware this is a folk remedy with mixed evidence behind it — if it hasn't put a dent in the trail after a week, food-grade diatomaceous earth or a borax bait (both covered in this guide) are the better-evidenced options.
Essential Oil Barriers
Peppermint, eucalyptus, and clove oil all repel ants. Soak cotton balls in a few drops of oil mixed with water and place them behind appliances, along baseboards, and near entry points. Reapply weekly.
What About Borax Baits?
Borax mixed with sugar and water is a widely recommended ant killer — and it does work. However, the National Pesticide Information Center warns that borax and boric acid can be harmful if swallowed, particularly for young children and pets.
Safety note: Keep borax baits well out of reach of children and pets. Never place them on food preparation surfaces. Wear gloves when handling, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. If you have toddlers or curious pets, consider sticking with essential oil barriers instead. — National Pesticide Information Center
The Cucumber Myth
You might have read that cucumber peels repel ants. A 2021 study from National Taiwan University, published in Sociobiology, found that cucumber peel extract has only a mild, short-lived repellent effect in laboratory conditions. In real-world settings, it's unlikely to make a noticeable difference. Stick with essential oils or bicarb soda instead.
How to Get Rid of Geckos in Your Home
Asian house geckos are a common sight in Australian homes, particularly in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and northern New South Wales. Before trying to evict them, it's worth knowing that a single gecko can eat up to 100 insects per night — including cockroaches and mosquitoes.
According to Flick Pest Control Australia, geckos are generally harmless and serve as natural pest controllers.
If You'd Rather They Moved On
Reduce outdoor lighting. Geckos follow the insects, and insects follow the light. Switching to yellow-tinted bulbs or turning off unnecessary outdoor lights reduces the food source that draws geckos in.
Seal entry points. Close gaps around doors, windows, and vents.
Use natural scent deterrents. Geckos dislike the smell of lavender and eucalyptus. Place dried branches or cotton balls soaked in essential oil near their favourite hiding spots.
What About Eggshells?
The idea that eggshells repel geckos is a popular folk remedy, but there's no scientific evidence to support it. In fact, eggshells with food residue can attract other pests like cockroaches. Skip this one.
How to Get Rid of Cockroaches Naturally
Cockroaches eat just about anything, breed quickly, and are notoriously hard to eliminate. Prevention is critical: never leave food out overnight, wipe up crumbs immediately, and fix leaking taps (roaches love moisture).
Bicarb Soda and Sugar Bait
The same bait sometimes suggested for ants is a popular cockroach remedy too. Mix equal parts bicarb soda and caster sugar, and place in shallow dishes near cockroach hotspots — under the sink, behind the fridge, and near bin areas. As with ants, though, the evidence for bicarb baits is mixed — treat it as a first try, and reach for boric acid or food-grade diatomaceous earth (below) if roaches keep appearing.
Boric Acid Powder
Boric acid is one of the most effective natural cockroach killers, used by pest professionals for decades. Lightly dust it along baseboards, behind appliances, and in cracks where cockroaches travel.
Safety note: Boric acid is less toxic than many chemical pesticides, but it can still cause nausea, vomiting, and more serious symptoms if ingested in large quantities. The US Poison Control Center advises keeping it away from children and pets, and wearing gloves and a mask during application. — US Poison Control
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder made from fossilised algae, available at Bunnings and garden centres across Australia. According to Radar Pest Control Australia, it works mechanically — the microscopic particles damage insect exoskeletons and dehydrate them. Because it's a physical rather than chemical action, pests can never develop resistance to it.
Sprinkle food-grade DE along baseboards, under appliances, and in cracks. It works on cockroaches, ants, fleas, and bed bugs. Keep it dry for maximum effectiveness, and avoid breathing in the dust when applying.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Naturally
Bed bugs are tiny, multiply fast, and their bites are intensely itchy. For serious infestations, call a licensed pest controller. For early-stage problems or prevention, these natural approaches can help.
Heat Treatment
Research published in the Journal of Economic Entomology confirms that bed bugs cannot survive sustained temperatures above 48°C. Washing bed linen, pillowcases, and removable covers in hot water (at least 60°C) and drying on high heat is one of the most effective natural methods.
On sunny days, place your mattress outdoors in direct sunlight for several hours, flipping it so both sides get exposed. Australian summer sun can stress bed bugs, but this works best as part of a broader approach — it may not achieve sustained lethal temperatures on its own.
Deep Clean and Vacuum
Deep cleaning your mattress is essential. Vacuum along seams, creases, and the bed frame thoroughly. Empty the vacuum bag outside your home immediately afterwards.
Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkle food-grade DE around the bed frame, along baseboards, and in cracks near the bed. It dehydrates bed bugs over several days and creates a long-lasting barrier.
What to Avoid
Safety note: Some older remedies recommend applying kerosene to mattresses to kill bed bugs. Do not do this. The US Environmental Protection Agency explicitly warns that kerosene and other flammable substances pose a serious fire risk and have caused house fires. Kerosene fumes are also harmful to breathe, especially in enclosed bedrooms. — US EPA
Natural Remedies for Other Common Pests
A few general remedies work across a range of household pests.
Essential Oil Sachets
Fill small cloth bags with dried lavender, eucalyptus leaves, cloves, or bay leaves. Place them in wardrobes, drawers, and pantry shelves. These scents repel moths, silverfish, and many crawling insects. Replace every few weeks.
Coffee Grounds and Lemon Rinds
Sprinkle used coffee grounds near entry points — the strong scent repels ants and flying insects. For moths, tie fresh lemon rinds in a thin cloth and hang them inside wardrobes. Both are simple ways to reuse kitchen scraps.
Prevention: The Most Effective Natural Pest Control
No remedy works as well as keeping pests from arriving in the first place:
Clean up food immediately — wipe benches, sweep floors, and don't leave dishes in the sink overnight.
Seal entry points — weather stripping on doors, caulk around windows, pipes, and vents.
Fix moisture problems — leaking taps and poor drainage attract mosquitoes and cockroaches.
Store food in airtight containers and take rubbish out regularly.
Reduce clutter — pests hide in stacked boxes and paper piles. Regular decluttering removes their hiding spots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most effective natural pest repellent for Australian homes?
Peppermint essential oil is one of the most versatile and well-researched natural repellents. It deters ants, flies, spiders, and cockroaches. Mix 10–15 drops with 250 ml of water in a spray bottle and apply around entry points weekly.
Q: Is diatomaceous earth safe to use around children and pets?
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is generally considered safe for households with children and pets. However, avoid inhaling the dust during application, and only use food-grade or pest-grade DE — never pool-grade, which is chemically different and harmful.
Q: Do natural pest remedies actually work, or are they myths?
Some are well-supported by research — peppermint oil, boric acid, diatomaceous earth, and heat treatment for bed bugs all have scientific backing. Others sit in folk-remedy territory: bicarb soda and sugar baits have mixed evidence, while cucumber peels and eggshells have little to none. We've noted which is which throughout this guide.
Q: How often should I reapply natural pest repellents?
Essential oil sprays and sachets need refreshing every one to two weeks as the compounds evaporate. Diatomaceous earth lasts indefinitely while dry. Bicarb soda baits should be replaced every few days or when damp.
