Neem: This useful plant will drive away insects like flies, aphids and thrips. A few drops of neem oil mixed in plain or soapy water sprayed in every corner of your kitchen will do the trick. Alternatively, you can use neem powder too.

Peppermint: Peppermint is good for keeping small insects, ants, spiders and even a non-insect species like mice. It smells good too. Mix some Peppermint essential oil with water and spray.

Coffee Grounds: The strong aroma of coffee will drive away stubborn insects that keep returning. Place leftovers of fresh coffee grounds in spots which are entry points for insects. Stop them in their tracks.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Fill a bottle with Apple Cider Vinegar, cover it with a plastic wrap and poke big holes into it. Both drain flies and small moths will be drawn to the smell and in the process get trapped.

Lavender: Apart from being a room freshener, lavender will keep away fleas, flies and mosquitoes. Place lavender sachets on your kitchen shelves or spray a solution of lavender oil and water. Both will produce results.

Onion & Baking Soda: A spoonful of baking soda added to a chopped up onion placed in corners of the kitchen and repeated every night will keep those pesky cockroaches away.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon sticks, cinnamon powder added to any essential oil or sprinkles of cinnamon powder in cracks and crevices will make those ants run. So your cakes, pastries and sugar are not invaded upon.

Cloves & Bay Leaves: These are effective in keeping away Weevils, those icky beetles that feed on your rice, flour, cereals and pasta.

Alternatively, you can also use these over-the-counter insecticides:

Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent: It is safe for use by the entire family, a long-lasting insect and tick repellent spray that deters a wide variety of pests. It works up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against flies, gnats, and chiggers.

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Mosquito Repellent: It contains lemon eucalyptus oil, a natural mosquito and bug repellent.

3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Lotion: It contains DEET, a safe bug repellent recommended by the CDC and EPA. Works on mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, chiggers and gnats for up to 12 hours.

EcoRaider Ant & Crawling Insect Killer: Suitable for both indoors and outdoor use, child and pet friendly, it kills ants, bed bugs and other small crawling insects. Safe for

Orange Guard Home Pest Control Spray: An indoor and outdoor natural organic formula that is effective against ants, roaches, fleas and more.