How to prevent insects from entering the house?

tammak23

hi, we have recently moved into a rental in a new estate. There is a constant influx of millipedes, woodlice, and little flies that want the light. We’re trying to be low tox for our daughter who has just started crawling but are at our wits ends with these things.

Should we buy some insecticide that is safe for inside or outside the house?
how are they getting inside and how do we find out where they’re coming from?

They’re sometimes in the laundry; sometimes in the bathroom, sometimes near the outside door.

Please help!

JacobZ

Hi @tammak23,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

What you’re experiencing is quite common in new estates, and it’s usually driven by the environment around the home rather than something that needs indoor treatment.

The first place to focus is directly outside the house. Insects thrive in damp, organic material, so keeping the area outside your home tidy makes a big difference. Reducing moisture and hiding spots close to the home will help discourage them from coming inside in the first place. You can do this by cleaning up leaf litter, keeping garden beds tidy and maintaining grass and plants around the home. Reducing the number of suitable hiding spots will make them look elsewhere, so keeping things tidy is the best starting point.

Next, look at how they might be getting in. Check for gaps around doors, windows, and where pipes enter the home, particularly in the laundry and bathroom. Sealing these with appropriate door seals or silicone can significantly reduce entry. Discussing the issue with your landlord and seeing if minor modifications can be made would certainly be worthwhile.

In terms of insecticides, treatment with barrier sprays on the outside of your home at entry points is certainly going to be more effective, however having a little one crawling around can certainly make this difficult. Given the number you’re seeing, and your little one who has just started crawling, I think it would be worth speaking with a pest control specialist. They can assess your specific situation and recommend the most effective and safe treatment approach for the insects you are seeing. Many pest control companies now offer low tox or water-based treatments that are targeted, longer lasting, and safer for families, so look for businesses that mention this in their marketing materials.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob