What is the ruling on dealing with animals in general, and insects in particular? Is it forbidden to kill insects even if they are harmful? And what is the method for repelling them without killing them?

The questioner refers to the Hadith reported by Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that an ant bit a Prophet, so he ordered the ants' village to be burned. Thereupon, Allah revealed to him: "Has one ant bitten you, and you burned a nation from among the nations that glorifies Allah?"

It is not permissible to kill insects by burning, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "It is not for any human to punish with the punishment of Allah," and "None punishes with fire except the Lord of fire." Rather, they should be killed by any other means that does not cause them torment.