Getting rid of insects in your home requires a strategic approach. While you can get by with kitchen ingredients for flies, bedbugs and cockroaches are a “war” where home remedies often only serve as a supplement to professional intervention.

Here’s a quick guide on how to deal with each enemy:

🪰 1. Fruit Flies (Drosophila): The Fastest Solution
These insects love fermenting sugar. A negative pressure trap works best.

Trap: Pour a little apple cider vinegar and a drop of detergent into a glass (the detergent breaks the surface tension and the fly drowns). Cover the glass with cling film and poke holes in it with a toothpick.
Egg disposal: Flies often lay eggs in drains. Pour boiling water or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down kitchen drains.
🪳 2. Cockroaches and roaches: Targeted elimination
Cockroaches are masters at hiding. If you see one during the day, there are probably dozens in the wall.

Boric acid: This is the “gold standard” of grandmothers. Mix powdered boric acid with powdered sugar or boiled egg yolk (sugar is the bait, acid is the poison). Place the balls behind the sink and near the footboards.
Glue traps: Place them under the sink and near the refrigerator to see where they go.
Peer advice: Cockroaches can survive months without food, but only a few days without water. Fix dripping faucets and don’t leave wet dishes in the sink overnight.
🛏️ 3. Bedbugs: The fun ends here
Bedbugs are extremely resistant to common sprays from the drugstore. If you have them in your bed, follow these steps:

High temperature: Wash all bed linen and clothing at 60 °C or higher (ideally, tumble dry on the highest setting).
Steam cleaner: If you have a steam cleaner, go through all the crevices in your bed and mattresses with it. Temperatures above 50 °C kill both adults and eggs.

Vacuum cleaner: Vacuum every crevice thoroughly and immediately throw the vacuum cleaner bag into an outdoor container.
Important: If the infestation is large, don’t experiment. Bedbugs are now resistant to many pesticides, and unprofessional intervention will only drive them into neighboring apartments.
📊 Overview: Who is affected?
Insects Main Weapon Weakness
Fruit Flies Vinegar + Detergent Fermentation Smell


Cockroaches Boric Acid / Gels Humidity (need to drink)
Bedbugs Temperature (Steam / Dryer) Sensitivity to extreme heat
Ants Cinnamon / Chalk / Cloves Sensitive sense of smell
💡 3 general tips for an insect-free home:
Seal the entrances: Cockroaches and ants come in through the gaps around pipes (rises). Use silicone or foam to seal them.
Light and order: Insects love the darkness and crumbs behind appliances. Pull out the refrigerator and stove once in a while and give them a good cleaning.


Herbal Barrier: Put mint or basil on your windows. Their scent is a natural repellent for most flying insects.
⚠️ Honest advice from a peer
If you live in a block of flats and have cockroaches or bedbugs, you need to tackle the whole entrance at once. If you only spray your flat, the insects will temporarily move to your neighbours and will return to you in even greater force in a month. Don’t be afraid to talk to the caretaker about it.

Would you like to know how to make your own non-toxic spider spray to keep them away from your windows?