Anyone who’s had to find a housemate online or rented in a London houseshare has, at some point, lived with a pest. And while human ones are challenging enough, they’re a piece of cake compared to the insect kind.
You can’t reason with fruit flies nibbling freely at your snacks in the kitchen or prevent ants from entering your private space by asking them politely to stop or taping a pass-agg note to your door. We’ve tried it, and the results, as you might imagine, are laughable. Similarly, moths may not borrow your clothes but they will ruin them, and bed bugs don’t seem to understand the word ‘no’, no matter how stern your tone.
When a plague of pests descends upon your home, it’s time to get biblical. In modern terms, that means using a spray to stop them in their tracks, obliterate nests and eggs and stop them from returning. A good bug killer should do all three.
Replacing bugs with chemicals isn’t everyone’s idea of a welcoming home, especially if you’re using the spray in close-contact areas, like your mattress or sofa. Thankfully, some natural sprays will be gentle on your skin while still reaching their objective. If you’re worried about using harsh formulas in a home filled with children and pets, going for a natural option will add to your peace of mind but always check the packaging for suitability before you start blitzing and spritzing.
According to Safeguard Pest Control, spring is a flash point for bugs emerging from their cocoons and making a break for your warm home. The expert has a pest control calendar that tells you what creepy crawlies to look out for over every month of the year, be it roaches in January, moths and wasps over Easter or spiders in October. It’s not exactly bedtime reading, but if you’re the sort of person who likes to be prepared, it’s essential.
Speaking of preparation, it’s a good idea to stock your cleaning cabinet with bug-battling formulas so you’re ready when they appear. Better to tackle a small infestation before it gets out of hand instead of sticking your head in the sand and hoping the issue will sort itself out. It probably won’t and you may have to shell out hundreds for a professional to solve it for you.
We’ve rounded up the best formulas to tackle common household bugs. Don’t be kept hostage in your own home by creepy crawlies - get the best and most effective solutions below.
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Rentokil 2 x Insectrol Insect Killer 250ml Aerosol
From one of the UK's best-known pest control specialists comes this spray which will see to common household insects like fleas, ants, cockroaches, earwigs, bedbugs and most other crawling insects. It takes a few minutes to work its magic, ridding your home of pests.
The aerosol contains a formula that includes permethrin and d-alethic and as a result can be extremely flammable, so keep it away from heat as well as curious pets and children.
Buy now £13.59, Amazon
Raid Fly, Wasp & Mosquito Killer with Eucalyptus Aroma Oil
Wish flying insects would just buzz off? Give them a helping hand with Raid's formula, designed to evict flies, wasps and mozzies. The eucalyptus-scented formula is fast-acting and uses fewer chemical solvents but does require you to leave the room for 15 minutes after a thorough spraying.
Be sure to ventilate well once the treatment has worked. The purchase is for six sprays, allowing you to stash one in every room of the house and stock spares in the cleaning cupboard too.
Buy now £20.49, Amazon
Raid Ant & Cockroach Killer
"Well hello Mr Cockroach, please come into my home and spread disgusting bacteria everywhere, won't you?" said no one, ever. If you spy one of them in your home, it's time to act fast. Raid's ant, spider and cockroach killer will take care of your crawling insect issue in no time. Not only will it sort out the immediate issue, but the formula will deter them from returning for up to four weeks, offering a long-lasting solution.
The downside? Customers have reported strong fumes so be sure to use when you can ventilate the room properly afterwards.
Buy now £25.20, Amazon
Crocus Venus fly trap
If you hate fruit flies as much as we do but don't want to spritz your food prep area with harmful chemicals, it's time to recruit Mother Nature's assassin. The Venus Fly Trap isn't just the star of Little Shop of Horrors; it can sort your kitchen's fly problem too.
The carnivorous plant will eat the pests for the payment of the odd drink of water and without chemicals while also keeping the entire household in its thrall. Just be sure to keep it in full sun and don't prod it or the leaves will die and may not return.
Buy now £14.99, Crocus
Moth Stop Fabric Moth Killer and Freshener Spray 275ml
The only kind of moth we're happy to have in the house is the canned cocktail kind (if you know, you know). When they emerge from the wardrobe having feasted on your precious cashmere knits and coats, it's time to get rid. This formula is up to the task and not only kills moths but will eliminate their eggs and larvae too. Each bottle covers up to 13.75sqm, leaving behind nothing but a lovely lavender scent.
Buy now £9.99, Lakeland
Zeroin Bed Bug & Dust Mite Killer Spray 500ml
The market leader in bedbug elimination, Zeroin has a number of options to return your home back to normal. The 500ml bottle comes with a nozzle to dispense the quick-working solution, which kills bedbugs and dust mites on contact (RIP suckers). The low-odour solution is water-based, meaning it is safe to treat mattresses, cushions and sofas.
Buy now £7.95, Amazon
Ready Steady Defend Bed Bug Killer Spray
This non-toxic and scentless formula is ideal for busy households full of pets and children and promises to get to work instantly, killing larvae and hatched bugs to demolish the infestation cycle. It uses inspiration from a compound usually found in chrysanthemums and will continue to protect the targeted area from returning bugs for up to three months.
Buy now £15.19, Amazon
RepellShield Bed Bug Spray
Prevention is always better than the cure. Make your bed an unattractive place for bedbugs with this spray solution, which contains clove leaf, cedarwood and tea tree essential oils to ward the little bloodsuckers off. The German-made non-toxic and natural spray also works on fleas and mites, giving it extra firepower in your cleaning supplies.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
RugRemedyUK Silverfish Killer spray
Silverfish may be harmless to humans, but they're still an unwelcome tenant in most homes and can decimate books and wallpaper, so it's no wonder most folks want rid of them. RugRemedyUK has come up with a formula to help you get rid, which kills on contact and stops new silverfish from returning for up to three months. It dries to an invisible finish and is safe to use around pets and kids once it's dry.
Buy now £12.95, Amazon
Karlsten Dual Bug & Insect Destroyer Spider Killer Spray
Summon up your inner Winston Wolf and clear your (interior) decks of spiders with help from Karlsten. The company has formulated an insect repellent with arachnids in the firing line. The 500ml spray bottle comes with a nozzle for direct sprays to wipe out infestations and prevent new ones from forming thanks to the residue left behind. One to use when you’ve run out of glasses to trap them under.
Buy now £12.97, Amazon
