Bleach is an excellent substitute for insecticides and other insect repellants. Keep reading to learn how to kill spiders with bleach.
Will bleach kill spiders instantly?
Yes. Bleach’s acidity also allows it to kill household pests, including spiders. It is an easy and cost-effective way to tackle any spiders, spiderlings, or spider eggs found in your home. It is, however, not a registered insecticide because of its harmful side effects on both humans and the surfaces it is sprayed on, so caution is advised when using it to kill spiders like wolf spiders.
How to Get Rid of Spiders Using Bleach
Follow these steps to kill spiders instantly;
Mix one-part bleach with three parts of water in a spray bottle. You can increase the amount of bleach if you need quicker results.Spray the mixture directly on spiders at a 6- to 10-inch range. Use however much is needed to kill the spider. The exact amount depends on the spider’s size.Sweep up the dead spider and throw it away.Wipe the bleach from the surface to avoid any bleaching effects.Spray the bleach mixture on areas where spiders are known to nest, hide or enter the house every week until the winter season to serve as a repellent.Spray the mixture directly on spiders from 6″ to 10″ awayDispose of the dead spider and clean the bleach from the surface where you sprayedOnce a week, spray the mixture on areas where spiders have been known to nest or enter your home
How long does it take for bleach to kill a spider?
Bleach can kill a spider in under five minutes. Bleach kills the spider on contact by dissolving the exoskeleton of the spider. The speed depends on several factors such as bleach concentration, and type of spider, among other factors. Therefore, you will need to be a little patient. A household bleach takes a little time, but it eventually gets the work done. Fortunately, bleach will protect your home from recurrent spider infestations as it kills spider eggs.
Safety tips to adhere to when using bleach to kill spiders
When using bleach for any purpose, it is always important to employ certain safety tips. The lungs, mouth, and eyes are all susceptible to irritation caused by overexposure to bleach. If you have asthma or another respiratory disease or illness, bleach can be even more dangerous. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind while using bleach to kill spiders;
Do not oversaturate an area with bleach. This can result in saturation of the toxic fumes and make it difficult to rid your house of the fumes.Always close and store bleach in a safe area after using it. This is especially true if you have children in the house.Open windows and doors as much as possible when using bleach to kill spiders. This will help aerate your home and blow any dangerous fumes out.Be aware of who is in your home. If you live with elders, children, or anyone with a compromised respiratory system, it might be worthwhile to look into alternative pest-control solutions to get rid of the spiders.Always read the label on the bottle of bleach that you buy. Bleach is safe to use in small and controlled amounts when following all the safety guidelines.If any mixture remains, store it out of the reach of children until the next time.
You can then locate where you saw the stone spiders and then spray the remaining solution. It acts as a repellent to keep the spiders away, and you should continue to spray the mixture on these spots at least once a week.
What types of spiders’ can bleach kill?
Below are some of the most common spiders found in houses across America and bleach’s impact on these pests.
1. American House Spider
This spider has small hairs on its long legs and is reddish-brown. If you have ever seen a spider web drawing, chances are it is based on the American House Spider’s design. They use their webs to catch and feed on prey. Bleach will be effective in eliminating this commonly found American house spider and its eggs.
2. Wolf Spider
Unlike the American House Spider, Wolf Spiders don’t generate webs. Instead, they are known for their uncannily precise eyesight and their preference for solitude. Because they aren’t picky about their habitat, there is likely a Wolf Spider in your vicinity. Bleach will kill Wolf spiders, but you can also use vinegar to kill a wolf spider.
3. Black Widow
Black Widow spiders have a mark shaped like an hourglass on their midsection. They can be found in climates with moderate rainfall throughout the year. While their bites are not fatal to humans, they result in various painful symptoms.
4. Brown Recluse
Brown recluse spiders are found in North America. A Brown Recluse spider is known for its venomous bite, which can land you in the hospital. As their name suggests, they are light brown with long, spindly legs.
5. Daddy Long Legs
Daddy Long Legs are the friendly giants of the spider world. They are easily recognizable from their long, skinny legs and small bodies. These spiders are relatively harmless to humans and will not bite you.
Other Ways to Get Rid of Spiders
Here are other supplementary methods to eliminate spiders from your home.
Kick out Other Pests
Spiders come into your house to eat the other pests that make your home their own. By diligently getting rid of other insects, the spiders will have less access to food, and you’ll eventually see less of them around. These arachnids will eat most other pests likely to come to your home. If you want to discourage spider intrusion, consider doing away with other bugs first. That will make your home less attractive to spiders.
Vacuum Your Space
Vacuuming won’t just help you clean your space of dust and debris on the floor – it is also a powerful weapon to fight spiders. Running a vacuum over the affected area will suck everything up; the spiders, the eggs, and the web. The spider may die from the trauma of passing through the machine’s narrow tube or later on from thirst. Keep your home tidy as pests need places to hide, and a messy space leaves plenty of spots to hang out.
De-web your house
Spiders will happily make their nearly invisible homes within your home, which have the additional function of sustaining spiders by catching food. You can encourage your spiders to build their webs outside your home rather than inside by running your vacuum and the places where the walls meet the ceiling and floor, which are the dark and inaccessible corners where spiders prefer to reside.
Use Eucalyptus
Spiders are averse to the scent of eucalyptus. So sprinkling eucalyptus oil or spreading eucalyptus leaves on your furniture, corners, and closets will discourage spiders from building their homes there. White vinegar contains acetic acid that harms spiders by using a diluted vinegar solution. You can safely and successfully repel these unwelcome guests.
Use Mint
Mint is one of the most effective insect repellents. Unfortunately, most of the bugs you see at your home hate it, including spiders. The good thing is it’s easy to use – mix water and peppermint essential oil and put the solution in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can also use mint tea bags to repel spiders. And if you want a permanent solution, planting mint leaves near the entryways will go a long way to keep spiders away from your space.
Use Cedar
Cedar woodchips spread around your space will also repel spiders from your house. Much like mint, spiders hate the smell of cedar and will avoid getting closer to the source of the scent. Check this too: How to Get Rid of Gnats This method will keep spiders away when giving your home a pleasant woody scent. But again, if you love keeping your home neat, opting to spread cedar to keep spiders away will be the last thing you want for your space.
Seal Cracks
Go around the outside of your home and see if there are cracks or other tiny spaces where spiders might be able to get through.
Leave firewood outside
Firewood is a frequent mode of transportation for spiders to get inside. Only take in what you need to make your fire for the day, or spiders might decide to explore other areas of your home.
