Will Roach Spray Kill Spiders?
Although not all spiders are bad, some bite. Not to mention, some of them are poisonous. And if you’re terrified of spiders, the thought of a spider near you or in your home may scare the living daylights out of you. But will roach spray kill them? Let’s discuss!
What Is in Roach Spray?
To understand if roach spray works on spiders, you must understand its most common active ingredients.
First and foremost, cockroaches are difficult to kill, if you didn’t already know. They can survive up to a month without food since they’re cold-blooded creatures and don’t require energy to keep them warm. While humans can survive 72 hours without water before dehydration begins, a cockroach can survive up to seven days without water.
These pests can even survive without their head for some time. This makes them difficult to kill. But, certain chemicals are known to extinguish them. The most common type of roach killers contain pyrethroids, such as imiprothrin and cypermethrin, which target roaches’ nervous systems to paralyze them.
Will Roach Spray Work on Spiders and Other Insects?
If roaches are difficult to kill, you may automatically assume that a roach killer would address spiders as well, seeing as most of these eight-legged pains tend to be easier to kill. However, this isn’t necessarily the case.
Cockroaches are classified as true insects, while spiders fall in the category of arachnids. Because they’re in different categories and have different structures, the same chemicals, and even at-home insecticides that kill one may not kill the other.
That said, some roach killers will eliminate spiders and roaches. For example, if you choose a spray that consists of imiprothrin and cypermethrin, both of which are pyrethroids, it’ll kill both.
Pyrethroids increase the effects of the natural pesticide, pyrethrum. The pyrethrum destroys the nervous system of roaches and other insects, including spiders.
Besides spiders, roach spray containing these pyrethroids will also kill earwigs, ants, crickets, and silverfish.
Other common ingredients in roach sprays include cypermethrin, transfluthrin, cyfluthrin, and prallethrin. These are all pyrethroids and can kill spiders.
Ultimately, before using a roach spray on spiders, you should research the ingredients to ensure they’ll work against spiders.
How to Get Rid of Spiders Naturally
Pyrethroids are mild to moderately toxic and can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation. They can also have an impact on the nervous system.
However, most people don’t experience any ill effects from them when used properly and in the recommended amounts. This is especially the case when they’re used occasionally. Generally, they pass through a person’s system fairly quickly and don’t harm any bodily organs.
If you’d rather not take a chance on chemicals around you, your family, or pets, there are natural ways to rid your home of spiders.
Vinegar and Water Spray
One easy recipe is vinegar and water. For this mixture, combine equal parts vinegar and water and spray it in the areas you’ve seen spiders or would like to keep them away. When the vinegar is diluted, you can even spray it on fabrics. However, you may not want your home to retain that odor.
We should note that a vinegar and water mix is a deterrent and will not kill the spiders. These arachnids are repulsed by the strong aroma and will head the other way if they catch a whiff.
Salt
Like with humans, too much salt will dehydrate spiders. When you dissolve salt in warm water, you may use it as a spray to kill spiders. With this option, you spritz the solution directly on the pest.
You may also use salt as a deterrent. They’ll try to keep away from corners or other areas you spray with this mixture.
Just be careful spraying it around clothing or anything made of cloth because it could cause fading. It can damage wood as well.
Essential Oils or Herbs
Certain scents are intolerable to spiders, such as citronella, tea tree, lavender, citrus, eucalyptus, peppermint, and cinnamon.
Either use the essential oil in your home by dipping it on a rag and hanging it where you’ve commonly seen spiders or have the plant in your home. You can also dilute the oils and use them as a spray.
Garlic
You typically think of garlic as keeping vampires away, but crushed cloves of this plant can also repel spiders. They’re not partial to the overwhelming scent of it. Therefore, you could make a spray and apply it to locations in your home that are prime areas for a spider to enter, such as corners or around your baseboard.
Making a garlic spray is as simple as crushing a few cloves of garlic and placing them in a spray bottle with water. Allow the cloves to remain in the water for a day or so. Then, you may use it to keep these pests away.
Roach spray can be effective as a spider killer if they contain the right ingredients. However, there are also natural ways for you to eliminate these menaces. Some remedies are even known to repel them, so you don’t need to worry about a method to kill them.
