I gotta say it: a better insecticide than fly-paper has never been
invented.  A variation on the theme is sticky cockroach traps, which I use
around my home (we get a lot of cockroaches in Oz land).  Since I started
using these a couple of years ago the cockroach population around my house
has considerably declined.  Before this I used "poison" style baits.  Not
only were they, well, poisonous but they did bugger all towards reducing
the cockroach population.  Needless to say I won't be going back :)
 
Another variation on the theme is the inverted drink-bottle fly trap.  Cut
the top off a plastic fizzy drink container and invert into the base.  Put
some sweet fluid in the base.  Hang it where you have flying insects.  The
flies/wasps/etc will crawl in and drown.  Chuck the lot away when it gets
messy, or clean and use again.  The bait can be varied depending on the
problem.
 
And my favourite solution: let your cobwebs grow.  Spiders kill tons and
tons of insects a year.  If they are not the poisonous kind and it does not
bother you to have them around this is one of the best things you can do.
 
The only insect that I have found to need more extreme measures is the
flea.  Keeping your pet flea-free is the first step.  I've "flea-bombed"
the house with insecticide only once, when I first moved in.  I've never
had a problem since.  It's important to follow the instructions *to the
letter* when using these products though (ie air the house thoroughly
afterwards, vacuum up the dead fleas (and other insects) before you let
your pets back inside).
 
Cleaning agents: as already suggested, vinegar and water, methylated
spirits, soap, bi-carb of Soda.  Can't go wrong with these :))
 
Hope this helps.
 
TK
[Posted in FML issue 2907]