North America is home to 3,000 species of spiders. The vast majority of these arachnids are not dangerous; they’re more a nuisance than reason for concern. However, limited species, among them brown recluse spiders and black widow spiders, can cause real harm (though bites are rarely fatal).
Whether folks want to eradicate an infestation, keep dangerous local species at bay, or simply avoid the fear and annoyance spiders can instill, an efficient pest control program may be necessary. The best spider killer may contain either potent chemical or natural compounds and will work well for repelling or killing spiders for days, weeks, or months after application.
Keep reading to learn about insecticide spray, dust, glue traps, and natural insect repellents. With the shopping considerations below, choose the most suitable product among these effective solutions for insect control.
- BEST OVERALL: Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth Ant & Insect Killer
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Terro T2302-6 Spider Killer Spray
- UPGRADE PICK: Wondercide EcoTreat Outdoor Pest Control Spray
- BEST REPELLENT: Wondercide Indoor Pest Control Spray
- BEST SPRAY: Mighty Mint Spider Repellent Peppermint Oil
- BEST TRAP: Brown Recluse Spider Traps by Catchmaster
- BEST FOR LAWNS: Ortho BugClear Lawn Insect Killer
Before You Buy a Spider Killer
Killing spiders with insecticides isn’t ideal for every situation or family—especially since spiders are generally considered beneficial, reducing the amount of flying insects around the home. Still, folks who’d prefer to keep creepy crawlies at bay may wish to consider an insect repellent. Some repellents may not work by deterring spiders directly, but instead keep their food sources—i.e., prey—away. Without an ample supply of insect snacks, spiders aren’t likely to settle in the home.
Also understand that if the home is kept clean and free from clutter, spiders won’t find the abode as appealing. They’ll likely head outside and look for dustier, disorganized digs to hide in. In this case, DIYers may be able to avoid spider killers or repellents entirely.
How We Chose the Best Spider Killers
We thoroughly evaluated the key aspects that should be included in the best spider killers, including versatility, type, quantity, and effectiveness. Our top picks can provide successful removal of many household and outdoor pests.
Many of the options in our lineup offer quick and long-lasting results and can also kill other common pests such as cockroaches, fleas, crickets, and scorpions. Plus, some of these options are nontoxic or humane, meaning less chemicals in a home or outdoor spaces for the safety of pets and children.
Finally, many of the best spider killers listed above also come in budget-friendly, large quantity options or two-packs for long-lasting use in the event of reinfestation. However, since some of our picks are chemical-based solutions, they should always be used and stored only as directed for safety.
Our Top Picks
Given the variety of natural and chemical-based products, there are numerous options available. These insect solutions are among the best in their categories and can help win the war against eight-legged pests.
Photo: amazon.com
For those looking to end their spider problem without introducing harmful chemicals into the environment, diatomaceous earth is a solid option. This natural substance consists of the fossilized remains of microscopic aquatic organisms; it infiltrates insects’ and spiders’ exoskeletons, dehydrating them from the inside out and killing them within 48 hours.
Diatomaceous earth is not harmful to humans or companion animals, providing a safer pest solution for homes with pets and young children. Also, since it doesn’t stain, diatomaceous earth is safe for use on most surfaces. Just recognize that because the product comes in a powder form, drafty areas could require frequent reapplication.
Product Specs
- Type: Natural insecticide powder
- Key ingredient(s): Diatomaceous earth
- Also good for: Cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas, earwigs, silverfish, millipedes, and centipedes
Pros
- Natural, safe way to kill spiders and various insects
- Kills spiders in 48 hours for fast impact after application
- Stain-free formula is safe for most surfaces
Cons
- Requires reapplying, especially in drafty areas
Get the Safer Brand spider killer on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Photo: amazon.com
Folks hoping to control spiders without a huge investment may want to check out Terro’s Spider Killer Spray. The formula’s two main ingredients, pyrethrin and deltamethrin, are capable of killing the “big three” spiders—black widow, brown recluse, and hobo spiders—whose bites can be harmful. This Terro insecticide can also kill carpenter ants, silverfish, cockroaches, scorpions, ticks, bed bugs, and Asian lady beetles.
This aerosol spray spider killer works both indoors and outdoors, allowing users to handle spider slaying on both fronts with one product. A single application can last as long as 6 weeks (though the manufacturer suggests reapplying every 4 weeks), which is also economical. Users should note that Terro is extremely toxic to aquatic organisms and helpful pollinators like bees, so care and discretion should be exercised when using this product.
Product Specs
- Type: Aerosol spray
- Key ingredient(s): Pyrethrin, deltamethrin
- Also good for: Carpenter ants, silverfish, cockroaches, scorpions, ticks, bed bugs, and Asian lady beetles
Pros
- Affordable
- One application lasts 4 to 6 weeks
- Easy to use and apply to all non-food surfaces
- Works indoors and outdoors
Cons
- Extremely toxic to aquatic organisms and bees
Get the Terro spider killer on Amazon or at Ace Hardware.
Photo: amazon.com
When there are concerns about children or pets coming in contact with harmful chemicals in the yard, Wondercide’s EcoTreat spray may be the answer. This outdoor pest control formula is made from essential oils, and folks can use the outdoor area immediately after applying the product rather than waiting, which is required for some pest control sprays.
Wondercide consists of cedarwood oil, sesame oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate. It’s effective against a host of insects that spiders eat, including mosquitoes, ants, fleas, ticks, roaches, flies, scorpions, crickets, and more. With these bugs removed from the yard, spiders won’t have a sustainable food source and are likely to move on. Each application can last up to 45 days, and one 32-ounce bottle can cover up to 21,000 square feet of yard. Just keep in mind it is not for indoor use.
Product Specs
- Type: Natural insecticide spray
- Key ingredient(s): Cedarwood oil, sesame oil, sodium lauryl sulfate
- Also good for: Mosquitoes, ants, fleas, ticks, roaches, flies, scorpions, crickets, no-see-ums, gnats, and more
Pros
- No wait required before using treated areas
- Made from essential oils—safer than chemical pesticides
- Application can last up to 45 days
- Treats up to 21,000 square feet
Cons
Get the Wondercide outdoor spider killer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Wondercide’s Indoor Pest Control Spray is worth considering for parents and pet owners looking for a safer way to repel spiders and their food sources. This formula consists of cedarwood oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, and sesame oil, and it works to repel spiders, ants, roaches, fleas, ticks, wasps, scorpions, mosquitoes, fruit flies, silverfish, moths, and other insects.
Safe for spraying on indoor surfaces like baseboards, windows, doors, counters, cabinets, and other hard surfaces, Wondercide can, however, stain delicate fabrics and rugs. Though a single application can keep on repelling for as long as 4 weeks, the product is safe enough to use daily.
Product Specs
- Type: Natural insecticide spray
- Key ingredient(s): Cedarwood oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, sesame oil
- Also good for: Ants, roaches, flies, fleas, ticks, wasps, scorpions, mosquitoes, fruit flies, silverfish, moths, and more
Pros
- No harsh chemicals—safe for indoor use around children and pets
- One application can last 4 weeks, but daily use is safe
- Repels not only spiders but also their food sources
Cons
- May stain delicate fabrics and rugs
Get the Wondercide indoor spider killer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Those looking for a safe, plant-based spray to repel spiders, spider mites, and insects will want to check out Mighty Mint Spider Repellent. This highly concentrated recipe, which relies on peppermint essential oil to repel spiders, can be used inside and out, and it’s completely safe to use around pets and children.
Spray Mighty Mint around the exterior of the home or any space inside the home. This spray is only effective for 2 to 3 days, so although frequent use is safe, it can get expensive. Plus, those who don’t enjoy the scent of peppermint may be as turned off as spiders!
Product Specs
- Type: Natural insecticide spray
- Key ingredient(s): Peppermint oil
- Also good for: Spider mites and other crawling insects
Pros
- Extra-concentrated formula
- Safe for use around pets and children
- Can be used indoors and out
- Spray bottle for easy application
Cons
Get the Mighty Mint spider repellent on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Photo: amazon.com
Even the safest sprays may make some users uncomfortable about applying them in kitchen cabinets, pantries, counters, and other food-related areas. As an alternative to sprays, consider Catchmaster’s Brown Recluse Spider Traps, which don’t use any airborne or surface-clinging chemicals. Instead, the traps have a glue surface that lures the likes of spiders, ants, silverfish, cockroaches, and more with molasses and a nonallergenic peanut scent.
The application style for these traps is flexible: Leave them unfolded for plenty of horizontal surface area, fold them over to protect the adhesive in dusty areas, or remove the backing from the adhesive mounting strips and stick them to walls and under shelves. The downside of these traps is that some folks may be averse to seeing a pile of dead bugs.
Product Specs
- Type: Glue trap
- Key ingredient(s): Adhesive, molasses, nonallergenic peanut scent
- Also good for: Crawling insects
Pros
- Flexible application styles allow for use in various areas
- Formula and design safe for food-prep areas
- Catches spiders and other crawling insects
Cons
- Can lead to an unsightly pile of dead bugs
Get the Catchmaster spider killer traps on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Keeping a lawn bug-free can seem like an impossible task, but BugClear Lawn Insect Killer from Ortho can help. This fast-acting spray attaches to a garden hose to quickly treat lawns, vegetable gardens, flower beds, and home foundations. Users can even apply it to vegetables as long as they wait the predetermined length of time to harvest them (detailed on the product label).
BugClear’s main active ingredient is bifenthrin. This chemical treatment creates a barrier against ants, armyworms, beetles, caterpillars, chinch bugs, crickets, earwigs, flies, moths, scorpions, ticks, and spiders. One application can last up to 6 months to prevent or wipe out an active bug issue. Shoppers will want to note that this product can be very harmful to waterways; therefore it should be used responsibly and never to the point of runoff, or before or during rain.
Product Specs
- Type: Hose-attached insecticide spray
- Key ingredient(s): Bifenthrin
- Also good for: Ants, armyworms, beetles, caterpillars, chinch bugs, crickets, earwigs, flies, moths, scorpions, ticks
Pros
- Single application can last up to 6 months
- Can prevent an infestation or treat an active insect issue
- Works on lawns, flower beds, and home foundations
Cons
- Runoff harmful to waterways
Get the Ortho spider killer on Amazon or at Ace Hardware.
Or, DIY Your Own Spider Killer
Folks who don’t want to spend money on spider killers can make their own with a few common ingredients.
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of dish soap
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle for the easiest application method. Spray spiders and the areas they inhabit—around windows, baseboards, and areas where the invaders build spider webs. Vinegar will kill spiders as well as ants, wasps, earwigs, flies, and more.
Folks who prefer a repellent instead of a killer can mix the following ingredients in a spray bottle and use it around windows, doors, baseboards, and other areas spiders may frequent or travel.
- 7 drops of either peppermint, tea tree, citrus, lavender, or cedarwood essential oil (it’s okay to use several oils as well)
- 1½ cups of warm water
- 1 teaspoon of dish soap
Our Verdict
Shoppers who want to create a long-lasting barrier of spider killer that’s safer for children and pets will want to consider Safer Brand spider killer. However, those who are looking for a bit more powerful and less expensive pesticide may be interested in checking out the Terro spider killer. It’s effective against the most dangerous spider types while also featuring an affordable price point.
Types of Spider Killers and Repellents
Pest control companies market a variety of products to control spider and spider mite issues. While many of these products work, some may be better suited for a particular set of needs than others. The best spider sprays, dust, and glue traps work in different ways, but all serve the same purpose—repelling or killing spiders.
Insecticide Dust
Natural spider killers for both indoors and outdoors may be diatomaceous earth. This compound contains fossilized aquatic organisms, available in dust (powder) form. Diatomaceous earth causes insects to dry out and die by absorbing oils and fats from their exoskeleton.
This versatile, nontoxic product exterminates spiders and other insects including bed bugs, cockroaches, fleas, and ants. The natural dust starts to work within 48 hours, and since the compound does not break down, it’s effective as long as it stays dry.
Users can spread diatomaceous earth in a thin layer around plants, on the lawn, or anywhere else they want to get rid of spiders. While this product is considered safe, be careful during application, as it can irritate the skin and eyes.
Spider Sprays
Natural pest control concentrates and sprays repel spiders without the use of synthetic chemicals or other potentially harmful ingredients. These products offer a safer option for indoor use, particularly in households with young children or curious pets.
Natural spider killers are also available, and these products contain chemicals that can kill spiders in one spray. They can also treat areas where spiders may frequent or return. Their applications typically last longer than repellents as well.
Popular spider killer spray ingredients include bifenthrin, pyrethrin, and deltamethrin. These chemicals kill spiders by disrupting their central nervous systems until they eventually die, but they are considered generally unsafe if ingested or inhaled by people and pets.
Spider Traps
Traps are another safe means of controlling crawling pests in the home. They have a sticky surface that lures and catches bugs, holding them in place until they die. The best options fold up to keep pets and children from touching the sticky surface.
The added benefit of folding spider killer traps is that users won’t see a pile of dead bugs on the floor—and they’re also less disgusting to pick up and throw away. Place them along walls and baseboards where bugs are likely to travel.
Spider Repellents
Some folks appreciate spiders’ beneficial characteristics and prefer to simply shoo them and their food sources away from their homes rather than kill them. Those who feel that way may want to consider a spider repellent rather than a killer.
Most spider repellents consist of natural essential oils such as peppermint, cedarwood, lavender, sesame, and other bug-repelling oils. The spiders (and the food sources they prey on) find these substances unappealing, causing them to run from the treated area. Do note that as a natural product, they may require more frequent reapplication than other spider killers, but they’re generally safe for pets and children.
FAQs
If you’re new to DIY extermination, you may want to consult these commonly asked questions about spider killers. If you have additional questions, contact the manufacturer of the product you purchase.
Q. What is a natural repellent for spiders?
Peppermint essential oil and vinegar are natural, safer alternatives to chemical spider repellents. However, natural repellents do not last as long. Mighty Mint Spider Repellent Peppermint Oil is a potent and pleasant-smelling spray that effectively repels spiders for 2 to 3 days.
Q. Where should I apply spider killer?
You can spot-spray a single spider, or treat your foundation, windows, doors, and other places where arachnids gather, like cracks, crevices, and crawl spaces.
Q. Is spider spray safe to keep in the home?
Natural spider sprays containing peppermint oil or vinegar are very safe. When used and stored correctly, chemical insecticides are safe. Precautions for storing insecticide spray include:
- Store pesticides where children and pets cannot reach them. Ideally, pesticides should be stored in a locked cabinet in a well-ventilated room.
- Never store insecticides near food or medical supplies.
- Store flammable liquids and aerosols away from ignition sources such as cars, grills, and lawn mowers.
Q. How do you dispose of empty insecticide spray cans?
To safely dispose of an empty can of spider spray, rinse the exterior of the container and cap over the sprayer. Dispose of the cap as you would regular household waste and dispose or recycle the container based on material. All aerosol cans can be recycled once empty.
Q. How do you properly dispose of insecticides?
Unused insecticides should never be poured into sinks, drains, or toilets. This can contaminate local waterways as well as harm wildlife. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, pesticides cannot be eliminated from most municipal drinking water.
To dispose of pesticides, follow the instructions on the product label. These are usually indicated in a “Storage and Disposal” statement on the product label.
Q. How can I prevent a recurrence of spiders?
Treat the exterior of your home according to the manufacturer’s suggestions. The label should have a treatment interval listed, so adhere to it when you’re putting together your DIY pest control plan.
Why Trust Bob Vila
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
