If your home has ever been hit by a nit infestation, you know how difficult it can be to get rid of the little blighters. No matter how thoroughly you treat and comb your kids' hair, the cycle of eradication and rediscovery never seems to end. Fortunately, it's not difficult to banish them for good by following a strict procedure. We asked Aussie head lice expert, Nadine Ismiel-Nash, to share her tips.

A few weeks ago we had a few days of rain in San Francisco, which is actually a pretty rare occurrence. All that water resulted in a colony of ants deciding to relocate next to my dog's food bowl.

You’re driving along and you open the sun visor. You’re cleaning at home and bump a painting hanging on the wall. Suddenly, out runs a huge, hairy spider. Australia’s huntsman spiders are the stuff of myths and nightmares. But these are also the most interesting of their family, and deserve their place in the pantheon of Australian wildlife.

You're in bed, cosy and comfortable and ready to sleep -- then you hear it. A high-pitched buzzing. You swat it away and turn on your lamp, but it's too late. You've been bitten by a smooth mosquito. Here's how you find the bastard.

Bed bugs are some of the most horrifying pests out there. They suck your blood, spread from place to place easily and are tough to kill. But do you know what they actually look like? Turns out, most people don't.

Mice are simultaneously cute and some of the most horrendous pests of all time. If you're dealing with a minor infestation, these tips will help you reclaim your castle from the enemy invaders.

Bed bugs are crafty little things. Not only will they make even a nice hotel room their home, but they will cling to your clothes and climb in your bag to go home with you. These tips can help you avoid such unwanted guests.

It turns out we've all been putting up with the smell of citronella candles for nothing. A new study has found that "anti-mossie" candles are ineffective at warding off the pest. In short, this natural "repellent" doesn't seem to have any effect on one of the most notorious disease-spreading blood suckers on Earth.

Like the rest of our fauna, Australian insects are out to get you. If they're not injecting venom with distressingly over-sized stingers, they're gnawing into your soft parts with a fearsome array of mandibles. Nuke 'em all with a giant insect bomb; that's what I say.

In the meantime, this infographic provides a handy cheat sheet for nine Aussie pests - including how to avoid them and what to do if you get stung.

First one, then another. Bite! Slap! Bite! Before you know it, mosquitoes are descending from the skies to disrupt your backyard summer soiree. How can such a tiny, fragile insect cause so much pain, suffering and annoyance?

No one wants their home to become termite food. Getting rid of termites and repairing the damage is stressful and expensive, so one of the best things you can do to protect your property is find them before they can do massive damage. Here's how.

Last summer my parent's home had a rodent infestation. "Just set mouse traps," people told me. If only it were that easy. It turns out there are better and improved methods to bait and set traps to increase the odds of catching those gross, slippery critters.

Ants love the messes that are associated with outdoor meals, so there's always an anthill near every picnic area. If you want to keep them from crawling on your seat and into your food, you can make some mini ant moats with pie tins.

Ants are smart, and if you have food lying around, chances are they will find it and invite their buddies over for a feast. If your dog or cat leaves food in the bowl, deter ants with a little petroleum jelly.

Leeches, those slimy, blood-sucking nightmare creatures, can be found in ponds, swamps, marshes, and lakes all over the world. Here's what to do if one latches onto you, and how to treat the wound afterward.

When you've worked hard to cultivate a thriving garden, the last thing you want is critters to invade and eat everything you planted. This simple netting and masonry ladders setup will deter birds and rabbits, and it's easy to make.

Those buzzing insects in your backyard are more than a nuisance at your barbecue. In numbers, they're a formidable threat. And if you're one of the many people allergic to bees, hornets and wasps, even a few can be dangerous. Here's how you can avoid getting swarmed, and what to do if you get stung.

Mice may look cute and fuzzy, but in reality, their presence means stress, chewed furniture, and a fire hazard because they can gnaw on electrical wiring in your walls. And the worst part? They poo and pee all over your stuff. Yeah, it's gross. Not to mention that rodents in general are harbingers of many diseases. They're also very clever, resourceful, and difficult to get rid of.

You’re drifting off to sleep when, suddenly, there’s a bump and a thump and an unearthly shriek. But never fear, if your home is making these noises you probably don’t have ghosts, but a family of common brushtail possums. Researchers have documented 18 different brushtail possum sounds. These include “grunting, growling, hissing, screeching, clicking and teeth-chattering calls, many of which would not be out of place on a horror movie soundtrack”.