Spiders are arachnids, a class of arthropods, which also include scorpions and ticks, which we have already described. Most spiders around us are harmless or even beneficial and their jaws are too weak to bite a human. But among them, there are several dangerous species for humans, so we will tell you how to get rid of them. You will learn which methods the scientists approve and disapprove. Below, you will learn which of the TOP-10 products are the best spider dusts, sprays, traps and catchers.
What You Will Learn from This Guide:
- What Attracts Spiders
- How to Get Rid of Spiders According to the Scientists
- Various Spider Control Products’ Action
- Top 10 Spider Treatment Products
- Which Spiders Are Dangerous
What Attracts Spiders to Human Accommodation? How to Keep Spiders Away?
Spiders don’t depend on human activity, and don’t create colonies as they prefer a solitary way of life. That is why both natural shelters and human accommodation attract them for the same reasons.
insects. They prefer to settle near a possible food base, so spiders attempt infesting a house full of insects. Lack of order and cleanliness will provoke a massive insect infestation.
Darkness. Shelter is another reason for spiders to come. Spiders prefer dark and relatively cool hideouts or, in cold regions, vice versa, warm shelters. Holes, cracks, narrow and secluded spots allow these arthropods to rest or hide from their natural enemies for a long time Regular and thorough cleaning as well as insect extermination are considered to be effective counter-measures.
light. Install yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs at outside entrances. These lights are less attractive than incandescent bulbs to night-flying insects which, in turn, attract spiders.
How to Get Rid of Spiders According to the Scientists
The scientists unanimously assert that regular clean-ups are the best protection against any unwanted pests. Don’t overdo your efforts as the spiders that are not dangerous for humans won’t cause you any harm.
University of California experts remind us that spiders are primarily beneficial and their activities should be encouraged in the garden. Pesticide control is difficult and rarely necessary. The best approach to controlling spiders in and around the home is to remove hiding spots for secretive spiders such as black widows and regularly clean webs off the house with brushes and vacuums.
Spiders love secluded, quiet and isolated spots where they can pass the time between meals. Just like other insects, they penetrate houses through cracks, holes, gaps etc.
Vacuum Clean More Often
If you do not wish to discover pests at your house, your first and most important task will be to vacuum regularly and to dust windows, corners, storage rooms, garage and basement – all the places you rarely visit. A vacuum cleaner will not only remove dust and cobwebs, but also will kill the spider. Check the corners for these long-legged insects with a flashlight.
Check Any Cardboard Boxes from Outdoors
If you bring any cardboard boxes or used items home, carefully check them for spiders beforehand. It is also important to eliminate other arthropods which serve as food for the insects in question. Here is what the University of Florida specialists say : “newly hatched spiders are tiny and easily enter homes through screens or around loose fitting doors and windows. Careful screening will keep larger spiders out of homes. If insects that serve as spider prey are not plentiful in a home, spiders are less likely to infest a home.”
Cover a Spider with a Jar or Use a Catcher
If you consider a newly discovered spider dangerous and are afraid of its bite, cover it with a glass jar and slide a sheet of paper underneath. If you set it free carefully, it won’t attack you. There even exist special catchers allowing you to safely grip an individual insect and release it harmlessly. Below, we’ll describe these catchers to you.
Seal Any Cracks or Holes
In the future, make sure you seal any cracks or holes in the walls, window frames and along pipes and wiring in the house. Perform all these activities wearing protective gloves and long-sleeved clothes to avoid unexpected bites. Be especially careful when it comes to working in the garage or barn near wooden logs where a black widow can hide. Place sticky traps in any private corners that might be attractive for these arthropods.
Create an Insecticidal Barrier around Your House
In most cases, spider insecticides are used for creating a barrier around the house, on the doorsteps, around the garage and basement.
The experts from the University of Kentucky state that carbaryl, bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos, or any of the synthetic pyrethroids (eg, cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin) are effective, but may need to be reapplied periodically throughout the summer. Wettable powder or microencapsulated (“slow-release”) formulations are most effective. Spot treatment with synthetic pyrethroids such as cyfluthrin, sypermethrin, or lambda-cyhalothrin are especially effective. Most household insecticides with a wide application range will also remove spiders.
The University of Kentucky specialists also highlight the importance of regular home treatment for four weeks. This is the period during which young individuals hatch from egg sacs. Most insecticides have a short action span. As the scientists from the University of California observe, “a spider can walk on a treated surface after a few days, (or in many cases even within a few hours) after treatment and survive”.
Use Repellents Only as a Supplement
There is enough information online confirming that various odors, such as rosemary scent, repel spiders. Do they really? Can pouches or “repelling paint” keep the pests away?
The scientists from the above mentioned research centers do not confirm the statement that a 100% effective repelling method exists, but they don’t throw this idea in the trash either. Spiders indeed have a sense of smell but it is weak. Their smell centers are located on the front legs, appendages and abdomen and work near the source of smell only. That is why manufacturers continue to produce repellents based on rosemary, cedar and other plant oils.
Natural pouch repellent is available for only Check current price , for instance. Its active ingredients include oils of citronella, lemongrass and rosemary. The manufacturer promises that spiders won’t return to the places where these mini bags are for a long time. However, the customers’ opinion is contradictory. is full of both positive and negative reviews although the users note that spiders are not fond of a strong rosemary smell. This results in the product’s final rating of only 4 stars out of 5.
If you have already started looking for a repellent, you might have heard of “paint with repellent properties”, which used to be advertised a lot. If you still come across such a product nowadays, be sure to know that Brazilian scientists have proven that it’s utterly useless.
To sum up, don’t expect repellents to expel insects from your house or garden on their own. This product should only be used in combination with other products and placed on shelves or inside storage boxes where spiders could settle as an additional protective measure.
Why is it Better to Use Dusts Rather Than Sprays?
Dusts are recommended for creating long-term protection in warehouses and private corners. Here is what the University of California scientists have found out: “The dust is most advantageously used in cracks and crevices and in attics, wall voids, and other enclosed or unused places.”
Their colleagues from the University of Kentucky elaborated further and explain the difference in action of sprays and dusts: “Chemical control of spiders outdoors is difficult because web-spinning spiders do not tend to contact treated surfaces. Space sprays containing pyrethrins or pyrethroids are effective in killing spiders, but have little residual activity. These sprays may be applied when spiders are noticed. Repeat the treatment in four weeks to kill young spiders that hatch from egg sacs. Dust formulations can be used in crawlspaces, attics, and utility areas to provide long-term protection. The insecticidal dusts tend to cling to the spider webs for long periods of time. When spiders chew their webs to recycle the silk, they consume the toxicant and die.”
Nevertheless, our review covers the insecticide Ortho Home Defense which is widely used for creating a long-term barrier around the house (for up to one year). The experts believe that it is futile against the insects to which this article is devoted. But given what the entomologists say, creating such a barrier makes sense if you aim at protecting your house from insects that are spiders’ prey.
Various Spider Control Products’ Action
| type | Active Ingredients | Action | use | Effectiveness |
| Natural Repellents (Pouches | Essential oils of citronella, lemongrass and rosemary | limited repelling action | Place pouches in any indoor/enclosed areas, where pests have been located. | Use only as a supplementary measure along with other treatments. |
| Dusts | pyrethrins, pyrethriods | Kill on contact |
Spray in all cracks, corners and shelters. | The effect is quick. The dust kills fast and retains its properties for a long time. |
| Liquid Insecticides and Spray | pyrethrins, pyrethriods | Kill on contact | Spray the entire area of infestation or directly on the pests. | Residual effect for up to 12 months. |
| Sticky Traps | glue | Deadly grip | Lay the traps in the area of spiders’ activity. | Will only catch those insects which run over the trap. |
| Catchers | – | humane catching | Catch the pests by yourself with the help of these catchers. | The effect is limited as you will only catch those individuals you can see. |
Top 10 Spider Treatment Products
For your convenience, we have classified the products to separately examine dusts, liquid insecticides, catchers and traps.
Many manufacturers produce humane catchers ie devices for gripping a live spider and setting it free elsewhere. There are vacuum and regular catchers. The former carefully suck a creature down the pipe where a thin space is created for proper airflow. The latter are simple mechanical gripping devices.
Spiders running over sticky surfaces are caught. That is why it is recommended to locate the traps where cobwebs or old chitinous covers are found.
Unlike these devices, dusts kill spiders even if they have long been applied and initially were aimed at creating a temporary barrier in an enclosed space.
Finally, liquid insecticides are powerful treatments for large territory treatments. They are only effective for killing many individuals and their numerous offspring. We have also listed a household spray that is easy to store in a closet and use for killing single individuals.
Dusts
This method is a little dirty and requires preliminary preparation, but is extremely effective. Moreover, dusts have a long-lasting residual effect and are inexpensive. This is the most typical method of getting rid of home pests.
Delta Dust Multi Use Pest Control Insecticide Dust
This Bayer product contains a pyrethroid (deltamethrin) and is designed for eliminating many pests including spiders, ants, bed bugs, fleas etc. The volume is sufficient for treating up to 2,000 square feet. The long-lasting effect is promised to last for up to 8 months.
Use Delta Dust together with a manual power duster such as a Harris Duster for only Check current price . Fill ⅔ of it and carefully spray the dust in any spots of spiders’ activity near the floor. Pay attention to spots behind the furniture, skirting boards, fridge, all kinds of cracks, splits, corners, niches in the walls, etc. If any food items or dishes are found nearby; cover them with a protective wrap. Since deltamethrin is waterproof, this dust can be used both indoors and outdoors.
The product has received praise from users. Almost 90% of them confirm the effectiveness of Delta Dust. They recommend parallel use of sticky traps for population monitoring. “It kills brown recluse spiders dead in their tracks. Use a combo of sticky traps and Delta D and kiss these dreaded spiders goodbye.” Read over 400 customer reviews to learn more helpful tips from other users.
Price: Check the current price
1 LB Drione Pest Insecticide Dust w/ Puffer Duster Bellow Hand Duster
This Bayer combo set contains one pound of pyrethrins, piperonyl butoxide, amorphous silica gel & powder duster-based dust. This product is universal as it is used for killing various household pests in residential or industrial spaces on contact. Apply this dust using a duster on cracks, crevices, wall voids, and underneath appliances in the same manner. Don’t try too hard as the dust shouldn’t fly in the air. The manufacturer warns: “Do not apply in or around ventilation, vents, or HVAC units, or food areas.” It promises a shorter residual effect, for up to six months.
The customers gave this product a very high rating of 4.6 stars out of 5! So far, few users used this set against spiders, but they did share their experience. Read all customer reviews to make sure it’s worth buying.
Price: Check the current price
Liquid Insecticides and Sprays
As we have mentioned above, liquid insecticides are used both for killing pests on contact and creating a barrier against any insects which spiders feed on. There will be no spiders when there is no nutrition for them.
TERRO T2302 Spider Killer Spray (2-pack)
It is easy to use thanks to its classic shape and versatility. Its active ingredients combine pyrethrin and deltamethrin. This provides combination removal of any unwanted guests as well as creating a long-term barrier preventing a relapse. The manufacturer claims that residual control will last for twelve weeks.
The product kills not only spiders, but also cockroaches, scorpions, ticks and other arthropods. The manufacturer even names specific species: black widow, brown recluse and hobo spiders as they are most often seen in homes. This spray can be used both indoors and outdoors.
85% of users are thankful for it. How do they describe their action? “After a spider is sprayed, it first freezes, but then continues to move for a few minutes. In order not to let it come to its senses, finish it with a shoe (just in case).”
Price: Check the current price
Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2 with Comfort Wand
We recommend Ortho Home Defense to our readers as its effectiveness has been scientifically proven. Its active ingredients are bifenthrin and zeta-cypermethrin. This product has been devised not only for killing a wide range of pests, but also for forming a long-term (up to twelve months) protective barrier. It is used both indoors and along the perimeter of a building treating the foundation. It is odorless and dries quickly. Comfortable use is ensured by a conveniently-shaped sprayer and a five-liter volume.
Homeowners call it an “Arachnophobia cure in a bottle.” Judging by the reviews, it is indeed effective as it simultaneously kills all kinds of home insects. Some people use it for many years as it is convenient, cost-effective and doesn’t require being attached to a hose (a sprayer is supplied).
Price: Check the current price
Compare-N-Save 7.9% Bifenthrin Concentrate
Compare-N-Save is a professional concentrated insecticide based on 7.9% bifenthrin. A bottle allows dissolving 32-96 gallons of finished product. Apart from spiders, target pests include over 75 different species. The manufacturer recommends using this solution both indoors and outdoors, in food zones, and promises pet safety after it is dry.
Numerous positive reviews confirm the effectiveness of this powerful insecticide. Don’t expect all the pests to magically, instantly disappear after spraying. If there are many unpleasant creatures, you will have to repeat treatment weekly until they are fully gone. But it is definitely worth it. Compare-N-Save is one of the most powerful and economical insecticides at the same time.
Price: Check the current price
Glue Traps
Traps cannot attract spiders, but if they ever choose to run over them, it will be their last promenade around your house. Quantity is the key here as the more sticky traps you set, the better catch you will have.
36 Catchmaster – For a Moderate Infestation
This is a set of 36 universal traps. We often mention this set in our review as it is equally effective for catching small rodents, snakes, millipedes and other insects. It will also be helpful against a spider infestation. Small cardboard surfaces are easy to locate in places where spiders appear. They will serve you for at least a month unless they get filled up with unwanted guests sooner.
The users claim that these traps smell like “chemically engineered peanut butter”. According to them, Catchmaster will help you re-discover insects at your house. “I thought they were useless until I found out how many spiders and other bugs they caught in my room. I now keep them around my bedroom, in my vents, in my basement, etc., anywhere I don’t want bugs.”
Price: Check the current price
Trapper Insect Trap – For an Extreme Infestation
They cost less than 25 cents per unit. This is a great product for monitoring and eliminating any house insects. The traps are flexed and can be folded to form a house, hung on a hook or rope and even separated into a few pieces. If necessary, you can use separate bait. However, it is usually sufficient to install traps in places attractive to spiders.
In general, everyone is satisfied with these traps’ catch. Consumers share their experience when they see that these small objects reduce the number of insects crawling around their houses. The traps will work 24/7 as long as you check them regularly and replace them with new ones.
Price: Check the current price
Catchers as a Humane Way of Trapping
Among other items, manufacturers sell devices which allow single-handed catching of individual insects you see. This must be a great option if you only have a few pests and are reluctant to kill them.
Vacuum Catcher is one such device. As it is obvious from its name, the catcher grips the spiders with a vacuum sucking them down a transparent empty tube. Unlike a vacuum cleaner which uses powerful air force, this device creates a thin air space for this force, does not kill its hostages and allows releasing them later. That is why even kids can use it. This device is powered by a 9v battery, and is available for only: Check the current price
My Critter Catcher acts differently. This long stick is equipped with a handle on one end and a gripping mechanism on another. Press the button to get hold of a large spider and carry it far enough from your home. This garden pest hunter will prove useful in your garden. The catcher costs almost as much as the previous item: Check the current price
Best Spider Powders, Sprays and Traps Comparative Chart
| Product | type | use | Quantity |
| Delta Dust
|
Killing dust | Pour the powder into the duster ⅔ deep, treat the spiders’ places activity evenly. | 1 lb.
|
| Harris Powder Duster
|
powder duster | Turn upside down and begin with light puffs to reduce clogging. | 1 duster at
3.5 x 3.5 x 4.2 inches
|
| Drone set
|
Killing dust + powder duster | Pour the powder into the duster ⅔ deep, treat the spiders’ places activity evenly. | 1 Lb with a puffer duster
|
| TERRO T2302 Spider Killer Spray
|
killer spray | Spray the pests topically. | (2 pack)
|
| Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer
|
Killer spray | Treat the indoor area or home perimeter for killing and creating a protective barrier. | 1.1 Gallons
|
| Compare-N-Save
|
Concentrated insecticide | Dissolve in water, spray any indoor or outdoor area, repeat weekly. | 8 Ounces
|
| 36 Catchmaster
|
Glue traps | Lay in spiders’ activity places. | 36-pack
|
| Trapper Insect Trap
|
Glue traps | Lay in spiders’ activity places. | 90-pack
|
| Vacuum Catcher
|
Humane catcher | Press the button to suck the pest down the flask and release it later. | 1 Vacuum
requires a 9V battery
|
| My Critter Catcher
|
Humane catcher | Press the button on the device to catch the pest and release it later. | 1 manual bug grabber
|
Which Spiders Are Dangerous
Let us first reassure you as these creatures take zero interest in you. In general, spiders hunt insects or other small animals, depending on their own size and capabilities of defeating the victim. Humans are not on the prey list of most species, regardless of their size. Tarantulas, which are an infra-order distinguished by its big size, are relatively dangerous. Some species’ bites cause fever, hallucinations or muscular cramps, although some of them are deadly for kids and pets only. Moreover, they don’t always inject venom. Tarantulas are most widespread in the tropics including the South of the USA and Southern Europe. Some species inhabit subtropical regions as well.
Representatives of another infra-order, araneomorphae spiders, are also dangerous. In a number of countries, you can encounter black widows and tarantulas whose bites are comparable to hornet stings. Black widow bites are the most dangerous for children and pets. Fortunately, spiders are inactive for the most part of their life, and especially the two above mentioned species can rarely stumble upon humans directly.
In general, species harmful for people live in warm subtropical and tropical latitudes. Residents of Canada, Northern United States and Northern Europe are lucky.
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