Written by Tom Scalishi | Updated 2:11 PM, September 16, 2021

If you purchase a product through one of our links, BobVila.com and its partners may receive a commission.

North America is home to 3,000 species of spiders. Most of these arachnids are not dangerous. They are not so much fear as a nuisance. However, limited species, including brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders, can cause real damage (although bites are rarely fatal).

Between causing fear or annoyance, dealing with pests, or stopping dangerous local species, DIY pest control programs may be necessary. The best spider killers contain effective chemical or natural compounds. These formulas can kill or repel spiders and continue to work for days, weeks, or months after application.

Read on to learn about insecticide sprays, dust, spider traps and natural insect repellents. According to the following shopping considerations, choose the most suitable product from these effective insect control solutions.

Pest control companies sell various products to control spider problems. Although most products are effective, some products may be more suitable for your needs than others. Spider spray, dust, and traps work in different ways, but all have the same purpose-to kill or repel spiders.

Chemical insecticide dust is great for killing bugs that enter your home. These powders contain bifenthrin, permethrin, cyfluthrin, β-cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin or lambda cyhalothrin.

The compounds contained in pesticides can damage the nervous system or exoskeleton of spiders. They usually work within 24 hours and are one of the fastest ways to control spiders. Most manufacturers specify products that can be used for at least 2-3 years.

Since pesticide dust is toxic, it should be sprayed where children or pets cannot reach it. They are suitable for long-term solutions under cabinets and basement walls. If anyone in your household has chemical pesticides in their eyes or mouth, please contact Poison Control immediately for instructions on how to proceed.

The natural spider killer solution for indoor and outdoor use is diatomaceous earth. The compound contains fossil aquatic organisms in the form of dust (powder). Diatomaceous earth dries out and kills insects by absorbing the oil and fat in the exoskeleton.

This versatile, non-toxic product can kill spiders and other insects, including bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas and ants. Natural dust starts to work within 48 hours, and since the compound does not decompose, it is effective as long as it is kept dry.

Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth thinly around the plants, on the lawn, or anywhere else where you want to kill the spiders. Although this product is considered safe, be careful during use as it can irritate the skin and eyes.

There are many types of spray containers used to kill spiders, including aerosol cans, liquid spray bottles, and large water bottles connected to garden hose nozzles. Chemical sprays contain synthetic compounds that are sometimes found in dust pesticides. Some can be used as a concentrate, you can use a spray bottle to dilute and apply.

Chemical spider spray destroys the central nervous system of insects and instantly kills them. You can use spray on the outside of the house to create a barrier to prevent bugs from entering, or treat it as a spot when you see one or two crawlers.

Aerosol spray can quickly and easily cover a large amount of ground. When spraying, it is important to maintain a 12-inch space between the nozzle and the treated surface. The disadvantage is that they are one of the more expensive products, and you may need several cans to spray large areas, such as the foundation of your home. It is also worth noting that the chemical composition of oil-based aerosols is very heavy and leaves greasy residues.

Spray bottles are generally lightweight and reusable. If you use up all the contents of the bottle, you can reuse it by filling it with water-soluble insecticide. The only disadvantage of using a spray bottle is that it can cause hand or arm fatigue when spraying on a large area.

Natural pest control concentrates and sprays can repel spiders without the use of chemicals or other potentially harmful ingredients. These products provide a safer choice for indoor use, especially in families with young children or curious pets.

Natural insect repellents use plants and compounds that make spiders unpleasant to deter spiders; the same product has a pleasant or neutral odor to humans. Formulas containing peppermint essential oil are the most popular because they smell fresh when they leave the house. Vinegar-based products are also very effective, and many products can also be used as detergents.

Natural spider repellents are usually sprayed on insect hiding places, such as cracks and crawl spaces. Natural insect repellents do not kill spiders. Their effect lasts for days instead of weeks or months, just like chemical products.

Another safe way to control crawling pests in your home is to use traps. The trap has a sticky surface that can catch bugs and hold them in place until they die. The best option is to fold it up to prevent pets and children from touching the sticky surface.

The added benefit of folding traps is that you don't have to look at a pile of dead bugs on the floor, and picking up and throwing them away won't be so disgusting. Place them along walls and skirting boards, where bugs may spread.

Given the diversity of natural and chemical products, there are many options available. These insect solutions are among the best in similar products and can help you defeat octopod pests.

If your goal is to treat curtains, carpets or furniture to help reduce the number of spiders in your home, then this product is your first choice. Harris Spider Killer Spray contains a non-staining formula of deltamethrin. It is very suitable for spraying fabrics and carpets, but also for solid surfaces. Just spray the area you want to treat and let it dry. It can be used safely both inside and outside the home.

It should be remembered that the product is a therapeutic agent, not a contact killer, and the spray needs to be dried to kill the bugs. After drying, it is safe for children and pets.

For those with limited budgets, TERRO provides a low-cost pesticide spray solution. The multifunctional formula combines pyrethrin and deltamethrin to combat many types of crawling insects, including spiders, ants and cockroaches.

Use it on a single insect, as a foundation spray, or to treat cracks and crevices. As a barrier treatment or crevice spray, TERRO's spray needs to be reapplied every 4 weeks, so its duration is not as long as the other sprays on our list.

If you are looking for a safe plant-based method to repel spiders and insects, Mighty Mint's spider repellent is one of the best products. This highly concentrated formula uses peppermint essential oil to repel spiders. It is safe to use indoors and outdoors, and it is completely safe around pets and children.

Spray it on the outside of your home or any space in your home where you want to be free from insects. This spray is only valid for 2-3 days, so if this is your only way to defend against spider invaders, you might end up spraying a lot of mint to prevent bugs in your home.

TERRO's insect trap adopts a classic design and incorporates modern elements. This sticky trap will catch the bugs as they cross the surface and leave them there until they die. You can place these traps flat on the wall or slide them under furniture and appliances. They are also folded into a box-like design to hide ugly bugs that die inside.

These traps are easy to discard and replace, and are an excellent alternative to toxic chemicals or messy sprays. In order for these traps to be effective, spiders and other bugs need to pass through them. They do not work like bait. The bug that decides to bypass these traps will live to another day.

Spiders at home may be more noticeable-but outdoor pests are still annoying, especially when you spend a long time in the yard. Common spider inhabitants in lawns and landscapes are grass spiders, tramps, and tarantulas, the latter being quite dangerous to bite.

This Ortho BugClear lawn spray uses bifenthrin and zeta-cypermethrin as active ingredients to treat spiders in grass, gardens and bushes. These two active ingredients kill the affected ants by slowly shutting down the nervous system to allow it to function normally.

This chemical spider spray is a multifunctional product that can also combat spiders, ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, spiders and more than 200 other insect species. The solution comes in a ready-to-use spray bottle that is connected to your garden hose and contains enough solution to treat lawn pests for up to 6 months.

For those who want to end the spider problem without introducing harmful chemicals into the environment, diatomaceous earth is a good choice. This natural substance is composed of the fossilized remains of microscopic aquatic organisms; it penetrates into the exoskeleton of ants, dehydrating them from the inside out, and kills them within 48 hours.

Diatomaceous earth is also an effective means to kill bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas and other insects. The product is harmless to humans or pets, and provides an ideal pest solution for families with pets and young children.

Among concentrates, sprays, dust and traps, natural and chemical spider control products are abundant. The correct spider killer or insect repellent depends on your family, the area affected, and the severity of the problem. Although natural formulas are safer, they do not last as long as similar chemical products such as Harris and TERRO sprays and must be reapplied more frequently.

When choosing DIY pest control, it is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and handle the product carefully. Store insecticides out of the reach of children and pets. Especially when using sprays, use the spraying distance to avoid direct skin contact with all pesticides.

After a thorough evaluation of the key aspects (including versatility, type, quantity, and effectiveness) that the best spider killer should include, our first-choice product can successfully eliminate many household and outdoor pests.

Many of the above options provide fast and long-lasting results, and can also kill other common insects such as cockroaches, fleas, crickets, and scorpions to completely eliminate pests. In addition, for the safety of pets and children, some of these options are non-toxic or humane and can reduce chemicals in your home or outdoor space.

Finally, many of the spider killers above also provide affordable large-volume options or two-piece packages for long-term use in case of re-infection. However, many of our choices are chemical-based solutions, and for safety, instructions should always be followed.

If you are not familiar with DIY extinction, you may want to ask these common questions about spider killers. If you have other questions, please contact the manufacturer of the product you purchased.

You can spray a spider locally, or treat your foundations, windows, doors, and other places where insects gather, such as cracks, crevices, and crawl spaces.

Natural spider sprays containing peppermint oil or vinegar are very safe. If stored properly, chemical pesticides are safe. Precautions for storing pesticide sprays include:

To safely dispose of the empty bottle of spider spray, rinse the outside of the container and cover the sprayer. Dispose of the lid like ordinary household garbage, and dispose of or recycle the container according to the material. Once empty, all aerosol cans can be recycled.

Never pour unused pesticides into sinks, drains or toilets. This will pollute local waterways and harm wildlife. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, most municipal drinking water cannot eliminate pesticides.

To dispose of pesticides, follow the instructions on the product label. These are usually stated in the "storage and disposal" statement on the product label.

Dispose of the exterior of the house according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The treatment interval should be listed on the label, so be sure to follow it when making a DIY pest control plan.

Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide publishers with a way to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites.

You agree that BobVila.com can process your data in the manner described in our privacy policy.

Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved.