The 7 Best Natural Pest Control Products for Australian Homes (2026)
If you have already decided to ditch synthetic bug bombs and fly sprays, the next question is simple: which natural pest control products actually work in real Australian homes? Not every “green” spray or organic sticker lives up to the promise. This guide cuts through the noise and highlights six core products — plus one plant-lover bonus pick — that we have hand-picked for families who want low-tox, high-performance solutions. From mould-killing sprays and mozzie-safe kids’ patches through to passive crawling-insect traps and tidy sticky strips for fungus gnats, these are the products that deserve a permanent place in your cleaning cupboard. Think of this page as your shortcut: no doomscrolling, no ingredient rabbit holes, just clear recommendations, how to use them, and who each one suits best so you can build a safer pest-control kit today.
Once you start learning about synthetic pesticides, it becomes very hard to unsee what is hiding under the kitchen sink. The “quick fix” aerosol that fogs your kitchen after dinner relies on the same class of neurotoxic chemicals — synthetic pyrethroids — that crop up in indoor air quality research and veterinary warnings. The plug-in mosquito zappers pumping heated chemicals all night do not magically disappear when the smell fades. They move into the same shared air that babies breathe, that pets nap in, and that anyone with asthma or headaches is already struggling to manage.
That realisation is often the turning point. You have already read the science and the low-tox theory. You understand that better barriers, scent-trail removal, fans, traps and essential oils can take the place of blanket neurotoxin use. But there is still one big, practical problem: the natural pest control category is cluttered. Every label promises “safe, non-toxic and powerful”, every brand claims to be “family friendly”, and very few explain exactly how their product fits into an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.
This is where a focused “best of” guide earns its place. Instead of listing every product on the shelf, we have narrowed things down to a tight lineup that covers the real problems Australians face: bathroom mould that keeps coming back, ants and roaches in warm-weather kitchens, mosquitoes around kids and adults, and fungus gnats buzzing around indoor plants. The goal of this page is simple: help you choose the right product in minutes, not hours, and give you enough context to use it confidently without going back to “spray and pray”.
What: A practical, bottom-of-funnel guide to the best natural pest control products for Australian homes in 2026, based on safety, performance and real-world use.
Why it matters: Many households want to move away from neurotoxic aerosols and harsh chemicals but feel overwhelmed by choice and mixed marketing claims.
How to act: Choose one hero product for your main pest problem, then build a simple low-tox kit using the recommendations and “who it suits” breakdowns below.
Start by scanning the Top 3 Spotlights below for fast fixes, then use the full breakdown and FAQs to match each product to your home, pets and family.
Our Top 3 Natural Pest Control Picks for Australian Homes (2026)
If you want the quickest route to a safer pest-control setup, start here. These three products cover everyday mozzie protection for adults, passive control of crawling insects, and a clean solution for flying plant pests and fungus gnats that love indoor pots.
Aurapel Organic Repellent 125ml
Gentle, organic insect repellent for adults and teens who want strong protection without harsh aerosols or synthetic fragrances.
- Certified-organic formulation for everyday use.
- Low-tox alternative to conventional outdoor sprays.
- Ideal for sensitive skin and low-fragrance households.
Lo-Line Trappit Crawling Insect Trap (10 Pack)
A passive, low-tox trap for cockroaches and other crawling insects – no sprays, no fumes and no direct handling of pests or chemicals.
- Ideal for kitchens, pantries and warm, dark corners.
- Works 24/7 while you sleep or are away.
- Great for renters, pet owners and low-tox households.
We The Wild Plant Care Pest Traps
Discreet sticky traps that catch fungus gnats and flying plant pests before they take over your indoor jungle and pot plants.
- Targets gnats, whitefly and small flying pests around plant pots.
- Includes a reusable storage tin and 20 sticky strips.
- Perfect for plant lovers, apartments and balconies.
How we selected the best natural pest control products for 2026
Not every “natural” product earns a place on this list. To keep this guide genuinely useful, each inclusion had to tick several boxes. First, it needed to make sense inside a low-tox, family-friendly home — that meant no synthetic pyrethroids, no propellant aerosols, and no products that rely on heavy solvent loads to work. Second, the product had to fit within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach: prevent pests where possible, deter them gently when you can, and use targeted action only where you must.
Third, we looked at real-world usability. Parents, renters and busy households do not have time for complex routines. Products had to be easy to apply, reasonably pleasant to live with and practical for Australian conditions. Finally, they needed to offer good value for money. You will see a mix of “hero” items — like Aurapel and BuzzPatch — alongside workhorse staples like castile soap and passive traps that quietly make everything else more effective. Together, they form a toolkit that can replace most of the harsh sprays you used to rely on.
The 7 Best Natural Pest Control Products for Australian Homes in 2026 (Tried & Tested)
Below you will find a deeper breakdown of each product, including who it suits, where it shines, and how it slots into a low-tox home. You do not need all of them on day one. Most households will get excellent results by choosing one or two “hero” products plus one preventative staple.
1. Best for stubborn bathroom and laundry mould: Simply Clean Simply No Mould 500ml
Mould is not just about appearance; it is about moisture, spores and respiratory comfort. Simply Clean Simply No Mould 500ml is our top pick for bathrooms, laundries and other damp zones where mould keeps reappearing. It is formulated to tackle existing mould on tiles, grout and hard surfaces while aligning with a more cautious, low-tox approach than harsh bleach-based sprays. Bleach may whiten stains, but it does not always deal with the underlying colony effectively. Simply No Mould aims to break that cycle.
In practice, this spray works best when combined with better ventilation and regular wiping. Use it on visible mould patches, paying particular attention to grout lines, silicone edges and around window frames where condensation collects. Leave it to work as directed on the label, then rinse or wipe clean. For heavy build-up, a couple of applications spaced over a week can make a noticeable difference. Once the bulk of visible mould is dealt with, you can move to a maintenance routine and reserve the spray for problem areas.
This product is ideal for households that want to reset mould-prone areas before switching to gentler maintenance products like OurEco Clean Mould Spray. If you see recurring black spots in showers, laundry corners or behind blinds, Simply No Mould should be the first bottle you reach for in your new low-tox kit.
2. Best multi-tasker for damp corners & pest-prone areas: OurEco Clean Mould Spray 500ml
Once the heavy lifting is done, ongoing prevention becomes the priority. OurEco Clean Mould Spray 500ml earns its spot as the best maintenance and crossover product for mould-prone spaces that also attract pests. Think under-sink cupboards, wardrobes on external walls, window frames that sweat in winter, and the awkward corners around showers where spiders and silverfish like to hide.
OurEco Clean is typically powered by essential oils such as clove and eucalyptus, which are well known in the natural-living world for mould protocols and surface freshness. Used regularly, this kind of formula helps discourage mould regrowth on cleaned surfaces and makes those dark corners less appealing to insects that prefer a damp, neglected microclimate. It will not replace good ventilation or a dehumidifier, but it supports those efforts and keeps everything smelling fresher.
If you only add one mould-support product after your “reset” phase, this is the one we suggest. Spray it lightly in target zones once or twice a week, and pair it with regular cleaning to stop small problems from turning into big ones. For many households, Simply No Mould plus OurEco Clean becomes the long-term combination that keeps bathrooms, laundries and cupboards under control without resorting to harsh products.
3. Best for kids and babies: BuzzPatch Natural Mosquito Repellent Stickers (24 Pack)
Spraying children from head to toe with strong-smelling aerosol insect repellents is nobody’s idea of ideal. BuzzPatch Natural Mosquito Repellent Stickers offer a different approach: small, fun stickers infused with essential oils that create a “mosquito-unfriendly” bubble around the wearer. For parents trying to reduce chemical load on young skin — or dealing with little ones who hate being sprayed — this format can be a game changer.
Each pack includes 24 stickers that can be placed on clothing, hats, prams, sleeping bags or school bags rather than directly onto the skin. They are especially handy for afternoon playground trips, daycare drop-offs, early-evening barbecues and camping, where you want fast, low-effort protection without covering children in lotions or sprays. The novelty factor also helps: kids are far more likely to tolerate a “mozzie sticker” than a cold, wet mist.
BuzzPatch is not a force field; high-pressure mosquito environments may still require additional strategies like long sleeves, fans and physical barriers. But for many families, these stickers significantly cut down the number of bites and the need to reach for conventional repellents. They are an easy, highly giftable entry point into low-tox pest control and a must-have for the warmer months if you have mosquito-magnet kids in the house.
4. Best everyday repellent for adults & sensitive skin: Aurapel Organic Repellent 125ml
For adults and older teens, you often need something a little more direct than stickers — but still want to avoid the harshness of conventional DEET or permethrin-based formulas. Aurapel Organic Repellent 125ml fills that gap as an organic, low-tox insect repellent suitable for everyday use for most skin types. The 125ml size is large enough for family use but compact enough to keep in a bag, car door or pram basket.
Aurapel is designed with a different user in mind to the heavy “jungle strength” sprays. It aims to balance protection with comfort: natural active ingredients, a lighter scent profile and an ingredient list that will appeal to people consciously reducing synthetic exposures. If you are already on a journey of swapping out conventional personal care products, this repellent fits neatly into that routine without feeling like a compromise.
Use Aurapel before walks, sports training, camping, gardening or evening events where mosquitoes are an issue. Apply as directed on exposed skin and reapply as recommended, especially if you sweat heavily or swim. Paired with BuzzPatch for children and physical measures like fans and long sleeves, Aurapel gives you a confident, adult-friendly layer of protection without reaching for aerosols or aggressive chemical actives.
5. Best for prevention & ant scent-trail removal: Base Hand Wash Castile Soap Unscented Refill
Not every pest problem is solved with a dedicated “bug” product. Often, the most powerful tools in your arsenal are smart cleaning staples. Base Hand Wash Castile Soap Unscented Refill earns its place on this list as a prevention powerhouse rather than a “heroic” rescue item. Used correctly, it helps remove the residues and scent trails that keep ants returning to the same bench or cupboard.
Castile soap is a plant-based, versatile cleaner that can be diluted into spray bottles, buckets or foaming pumps. For pest control, the key is its ability to cut through grease, food films and the pheromone-laced residues ants rely on to navigate. When you wipe benches, cupboard fronts, splashbacks and pantry shelves with a castile-based solution, you are not just making surfaces look cleaner — you are literally erasing the chemical map that tells ants “this way to the crumbs”.
In a low-tox home, this product sits at the base of the pyramid. It will not kill cockroaches or spiders outright, but it dramatically reduces the appeal of your kitchen to scouting insects. Use it daily in food-preparation zones, weekly inside cupboards and around bin areas, and pair it with targeted tools like Lo-Line traps for stubborn crawling insects. Over time, you will notice far fewer “surprise” visitors.
6. Best passive, non-contact solution for cockroaches & crawling insects: Lo-Line Trappit Pest Control System (10 Traps)
Some people simply do not want to spray anything — natural or synthetic — around their home. Others are dealing with stubborn cockroach traffic in areas that are difficult to access with sprays or wipes. Lo-Line Trappit Pest Control System (10 Traps) solves both problems by offering a passive, bait-based trap that works silently in the background.
These traps are designed to be placed along known travel routes: behind fridges, beside dishwashers, under sinks, near rubbish bins and in warm, dark corners where roaches love to congregate. Once positioned, you can essentially forget about them for a set period, checking periodically and replacing as recommended. There are no fumes, no residues on surfaces and no need to directly handle insects; the design keeps everything contained.
Lo-Line is especially useful for renters, busy households and anyone sharing walls with other apartments where pests can migrate between units. It pairs beautifully with Base Castile Soap as the cleaning foundation and OurEco Clean for damp, mould-prone corners. Think of it as your “set and forget” insurance policy against crawling insects, particularly in high-risk zones like pantries and laundries.
7. Best for indoor plants & fungus gnats: We The Wild Plant Care Pest Traps (20 Pack + Tin)
Indoor plants are great for ambience, but they can also invite a very specific type of pest: fungus gnats and other tiny flying insects that breed in moist potting mix. Conventional bug sprays are a terrible match for this problem — you do not want aerosol residue all over leaves, soil and indoor air. We The Wild Plant Care Pest Traps (Sticky Pest Strips + Storage Tin, 20 Pack) are a much better fit.
These bright, adhesive traps are designed to be placed directly into potting mix or near plant foliage. Flying pests are attracted to the colour and stick to the surface, interrupting the breeding cycle over time. Because the action is physical rather than chemical, you are not adding more volatile compounds to your living room, bedroom or office. The included storage tin makes it easy to keep spare strips tidy and dust-free between uses.
For plant lovers, this is a “why didn’t I get this sooner?” product. It does not replace the need to address overwatering or poor drainage — you still need to manage moisture levels — but it dramatically reduces the frustration of having tiny insects constantly hovering around your face whenever you sit near your plants. If your low-tox journey includes a growing indoor jungle, this product is a must.
Which natural pest control product is right for your home?
With seven strong options on the table, the goal now is not to buy everything — it is to choose the combination that fits your household, budget and main pain points. One of the easiest ways to decide is to start with a simple question: “Where do pests bother us the most?” Your answer will usually fall into one of a few categories: bathroom mould, kitchen insects, mosquitoes around kids and adults, or plant pests.
If mould is the main frustration, prioritise Simply Clean Simply No Mould as your reset product and OurEco Clean Mould Spray as your maintenance spray for corners, cupboards and window frames. If kitchen visitors are the issue — ants, roaches and crumbs — build your kit around Base Castile Soap for daily cleaning and Lo-Line Trappit for passive trapping in hard-to-reach places.
Households plagued by mosquito bites should look at the BuzzPatch + Aurapel combination. Use BuzzPatch stickers for younger children and prams, and Aurapel Organic Repellent 125ml for adults and older teens. Complement both with fans, screens and the environmental changes outlined in our educational guide on natural pest control. Plant parents and apartment dwellers, on the other hand, will get the most immediate benefit from We The Wild Plant Care Pest Traps, with mould sprays and repellents added later if needed.
If your budget only allows for two items to start with, choose one problem solver (mould spray, Lo-Line traps or BuzzPatch) and one prevention staple (castile soap or Aurapel). You can always build out the rest of your toolkit over time as seasons and needs change.
Natural insect repellent – frequently asked questions
What is a natural insect repellent?
A natural insect repellent is a product that uses plant-derived ingredients, such as essential oils, instead of synthetic chemicals like DEET or picaridin. In Australia these often include oils from citronella, lemon eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint and tea tree blended into a spray, roll-on or lotion to help keep mosquitoes and other biting insects away.
What is the most effective natural insect repellent in Australia?
The most effective natural insect repellents in Australia usually contain lemon eucalyptus–derived actives, often combined with other essential oils like citronella, lavender, peppermint and tea tree. Products that use a higher concentration of these actives, and are reapplied as directed, tend to give more reliable protection than very light, perfume-style sprays.
Which essential oils do mosquitoes absolutely hate?
Mosquitoes are known to dislike strong aromatic oils such as citronella, lemon eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint and tea tree. These scents can help mask the natural body odours that attract insects, which is why they are common ingredients in natural insect repellents and outdoor body sprays.
Is natural insect repellent as effective as DEET?
Natural insect repellents can work well for everyday use, especially when they contain lemon eucalyptus and other proven essential oils, but they may not last as long on the skin as higher-strength DEET or picaridin products. Many Australians choose natural options for low-to-moderate exposure and switch to conventional repellents or extra precautions in high-risk disease areas.
Is natural insect repellent safe for children and sensitive skin?
Many natural insect repellents are designed to be gentle, but essential oils are still powerful plant extracts. For children and sensitive skin it’s best to patch-test a small area first, avoid applying on broken skin, and follow any age guidelines on the label. Parents often prefer spraying over clothing for toddlers rather than directly on the skin.
How long does natural insect repellent last?
Most natural insect repellents last around two to four hours on the skin, depending on how much you apply, the concentration of active ingredients, temperature and how much you sweat. As a rule of thumb, reapply whenever you notice insects returning, after swimming, or after heavy sweating.
Can I make my own natural insect repellent at home?
You can make a simple DIY natural insect repellent by diluting a few drops of essential oils such as citronella, lemon eucalyptus, lavender or peppermint into a carrier like witch hazel, alcohol or a light plant oil. Always keep total essential oil concentration low, avoid the eyes and mouth, and stop using the mix if any irritation occurs.
What else can I do, besides repellent, to avoid mosquito bites?
The best mosquito protection combines repellent with practical habits. Wear loose, light-coloured clothing that covers arms and legs, use screens or nets where possible, remove standing water around the home and avoid spending long periods outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
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21 November 2025Notes:Article published
