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Warning over mistake made with common household problem

As temperatures increase, so do the numbers of cockroaches and other pests in our homes.

A surge in bugs can drive residents crazy, prompting them to buy a raft of products in a bid to stamp out the problem.

But emergency services are warning of the dangers of certain products which can leave your house in ruins.

On Friday, Fire and Rescue NSW pleaded with residents to be "very careful" when using insecticide bombs.

"If you are planning on exterminating insects using insecticide bombs, please read all safety instructions on the label very carefully and ensure all possible ignition sources, such as pilot lights on appliances, are switched off," it said in a Facebook post.

The Sydney home was destroyed by the cockroach bombs. Source: Fire and Rescue NSW
The Sydney home was destroyed by the cockroach bombs. Source: Fire and Rescue NSW

The post referenced a 2020 incident where a home in the Sydney suburb of Ashbury where an "excessive amount" of cockroach bombs were used simultaneously.

An image of the home shows it completely destroyed. While seven people were inside the home at the time, remarkably, only minor injuries were reported.

How to prepare for cockroach influx

Warren Bailey, director of ABC Pest Control Sydney, says residents can take preventative measures before the summer months arrive to avoid a swarm of cockroaches in the home.

“In Sydney, a lot of people wait until it’s too late to call in professional help. But really they need to be taking preventative measures before it gets to that point,” Mr Bailey previously told Yahoo News Australia.

Many Sydneysiders battle rising cockroach numbers each year. Source: Getty
Many Sydneysiders battle rising cockroach numbers each year. Source: Getty

He said the best thing people can do to stay on top of the number of cockroaches in their home is to maintain a high level of hygiene and not neglect specific areas of the house like the bathroom and kitchen.

“Hygiene is the biggest thing for both restaurants and people’s homes. It’s incredibly important to keep things clean,” Mr Bailey said.

He advised people to pull their fridge away from the wall every couple of months and give the area a thorough clean out.

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