The Best Spider Killers for DIY Pest Control

No one likes to share their home with spiders. These creepy crawlers always seem to show up out of nowhere and can send chills up your spine. Whether you’re downright terrified of them or just tired of using rolled-up magazines as your weapon of choice, adding a high-quality spider killer to your DIY pest control methods may be just what you need.

The best spider killers use chemicals or natural compounds to kill or repel spiders and will work for months after application. Spraying your foundation will keep spiders and other crawling insects from setting up shop, leaving you with a bug-free home and peace of mind.

1. BEST OVERALL: Black Flag Spider & Scorpion Killer Aerosol
2. RUNNER-UP: Hot Shot 96780 Ant, Roach, & Spider Killer
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: TERRO T2302 Spider Killer Aerosol Spray
4. UPGRADE PICK: WET & FORGET Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer
5. BEST INSECTICIDE DUST: Bayer Delta Dust Insecticide
6. BEST SPRAY: Harris Spider Killer, Liquid Spray
7. BEST TRAP: TERRO T3206 Spider & Insect Trap
8. BEST NATURAL REPELLENT: Mighty Mint 16oz Insect and Pest Control

Types of Spider Killers

Pest control companies market a variety of products to homeowners to control spider issues. While most products are effective, some may be better suited for your needs than others. Here are some of the different types of spider killers. They work in different ways but all serve the same purpose—to get rid of spiders.

Natural Repellents

Natural repellents drive bugs away without the use of chemicals or other potentially harmful ingredients. These products repel spiders by using formulas that include plants and compounds that bugs do not like.

One popular natural repellent is peppermint essential oil. All you need to do is mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and spray the cracks and corners throughout your home where spiders are likely to hang out. Not only will it make any spiders move on out, but the peppermint spray also leaves your home with a pleasant minty-fresh scent.

Another natural pest control recipe involves using white vinegar. A mixture of water, vinegar, and lemon does a great job of keeping spiders at bay, and it also doubles as an effective household cleaner.

Sprays

There are several types of spray containers on the market for controlling spiders. They include aerosol cans, liquid spray bottles, and large jugs with nozzles on hoses. Sprays usually contain synthetic chemicals that disrupt an insect’s central nervous system, causing a quick death.

You can use sprays for the exterior of the home to create a barrier to keep bugs out. You can also use some of them as spot treatments when you see a crawling bug or two.

Aerosol sprays make covering a lot of ground quick and easy, enabling you to spray your home’s foundation in no time at all. While spraying, it’s important to maintain 12 inches of space between the nozzle and the surface that is being treated. The downside of aerosol sprays is that they’re one of the costlier products, and you might need a few cans to spray your entire foundation. It’s also worth noting that oil-based aerosols are chemical-heavy, and can leave a greasy residue behind.

Spray bottles are handy since they’re usually lightweight and reusable. If you use the entire contents of the bottle, you can reuse it by filling it with a water-soluble pesticide or trying a natural recipe of your own. The only downside of using spray bottles is that they can cause hand or arm fatigue when spraying large areas.

Dusts

Dusts are another effective way to kill bugs on their way into your home. Some dusts work by cutting and scraping the bug’s body as they crawl over it and over the next 24-48 hours, causing the insect to dehydrate and die. Other dusts, like those containing diatomaceous earth or silica, will absorb the waxy protectant on the outside of a bug’s body, leaving it to dry out and die. It’s also worth noting that silica dust sometimes contains a pyrethroid for extra knock-out power.

Sprinkle pesticide dusts where no children or pets will get to them and where bugs are likely to crawl over them. They’re ideal long-term solutions for under cabinets and along basement walls.

It’s important not to leave these insecticide dusts in open spaces. Air movement will blow the dust away, and children and pets may come in contact with the particles. While some dusts are okay for children and pets, if you’re unsure, it’s best to avoid exposure.

Traps

One of the best ways to control spiders and other crawling pests in your home is by using traps. Traps have sticky surfaces that catch bugs and hold them in place until they die. Place these traps along walls and baseboards, where bugs are likely to travel.

The best spider killer traps fold up to keep 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 they’re also less disgusting to pick up and throw away.

Our Top Picks

A lot of thought went into choosing this list of the best spider killers for DIY pest control. These products are the best in their categories, and any of them is sure to help you win the war against eight-legged pests.

1. BEST OVERALL: Black Flag Spider & Scorpion Killer Aerosol

Black Flag’s Spider and Scorpion Killer Aerosol Spray is the real deal when it comes to DIY pest control. This super potent spray paralyzes and kills spiders of all kinds. This includes tough-to-kill species, such as black widow, brown recluse, and wolf spiders. Spraying it in your home will protect it from these creepiest of crawlies for up to 16 weeks. You can unleash Black Flag’s aerosol spray from five feet away. The long-range spray is perfect for those who fear going face to face with the enemy.

The only downside to the Black Flag killer is the spray pattern. It comes out in a stream instead of a fog or a mist, which may make it difficult to put a broad barrier down around the foundation of your home.

2. RUNNER-UP: Hot Shot 96780 Ant, Roach, & Spider Killer

This insect killer spray from Hot Shot is perfect for handling spiders—both inside and out. It kills spiders (as well as ants and roaches) in seconds. The aerosol can make it easy to cover a lot of ground quickly (such as spraying your foundation) and it keeps killing for up to 16 weeks, which is a long time for a water-based spray. You’ll get the long-term coverage without the staining residue of oil-based sprays.

The Hot Shot aerosol spray has the opposite spray pattern issue of our best overall product. The Hot Shot spray pattern is too broad and fog-like for long-range attacks against one or two bugs. You’ll have to lean in and get close for this spray to be effective, which may be uncomfortable for anyone with a fear of bugs.

3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: TERRO T2302 Spider Killer Aerosol Spray

For those on a budget, TERRO offers an effective, low-cost solution with their Spider Killer Aerosol Spray. It’s intended for use on all types of crawling bugs, including spiders, ants, and cockroaches. Use it on a single bug, as a foundation spray, or for treating cracks and crevices.

As a barrier treatment or crevice spray, TERRO’s spray needs reapplying every four weeks. That means it doesn’t last quite as long as other sprays on our list.

4. UPGRADE PICK: WET & FORGET Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer

If you’re determined to keep spiders out of your home, then Wet & Forget’s Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer is the product for you. This half-gallon bottle has a spray distance of up to 12 feet. It’s perfect for spraying the surfaces outside of your home where spiders are likely to hang out. It works for up to 12 months, so one application a year should be enough to keep your home spider-free.

The one problem you may experience with these bottles is leaking. Be sure to store it in an upright position to avoid leaky messes and wasted product. Also, this outdoor product is not meant for use inside the home.

5. BEST INSECTICIDE DUST: Bayer Delta Dust Insecticide

The Delta Dust bottle may not have a flashy label—but this product is no less effective for it. Delta Dust is a powerful bug barrier that kills insects when they eat it or come in contact with it. The duster bottle is perfect for squeezing under appliances or into cracks and crevices in a foundation. It works for up to eight months before needing another dusting.

Since Delta Dust needs to remain on the surface that you apply it to, it can have a low-level toxic effect if eaten or inhaled by people. While not a significant concern, it is something to keep in mind.

6. BEST SPRAY: Harris Spider Killer, Liquid Spray 

If you’re interested in treating your curtains, carpet, or furniture to help reduce the spider population in your home, this is the spider killer for you. Harris Spider Killer Liquid Spray is non-staining. It’s perfect for spraying fabrics and carpet and it works on solid surfaces as well. Simply spray the area you’d like to treat and allow to dry. It’s safe for use both inside and outside of your home.

Something to keep in mind is that this product is a treatment, not a contact killer, and the spray needs to dry before it’s effective for killing bugs. Once it’s dry, it’s safe for children and pets.

7. BEST TRAP: TERRO T3206 Spider & Insect Trap

The TERRO Spider and Insect trap is a classic design with a modern twist. This sticky trap catches bugs as they walk across the surface and keeps them there until they die. You can lay these traps flat against a wall or slide them under furniture and appliances. They can also fold up into a box-type design to hide the unsightly bugs that die inside. These traps are easy to throw out and replace, and are a good alternative to using toxic chemicals or messy sprays.

For these traps to be effective, spiders and other bugs need to walk through them. They don’t work like bait. Bugs that decide to walk around these traps will live to see another day.

8. BEST NATURAL REPELLENT: Mighty Mint 16oz Insect and Pest Control

If you’re looking for a natural, safer way to repel spiders and insects, consider Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control. This highly concentrated recipe uses peppermint essential oil to repel spiders as well as other insects, including ants and cockroaches. It’s safe for use both inside and out, while also being completely safe around pets and children. Spray it around the exterior of your home or any space inside the home you’d like to be free of creepy crawlies.

This spray is only effective for two to three days, so if this is your only defense against arachnid invaders, you may end up pumping a lot of peppermint to keep your home bug-free. This could become expensive, so you may want to reuse the bottle and fill it with your own spider-repelling peppermint recipe.

The Advantages of Owning a Spider Killer

Having a few cans or bottles of spider killer on hand is never a bad idea. A trip to the attic or basement can go sideways quickly if you run face-first into a web full of spiders. You can arm yourself before walking into a spooky spot if you have a can nearby.

Maintaining a bug-free home can feel like a losing battle. Keeping some spray on hand allows you to run outside and give the foundation a squirt anytime you notice that bugs are starting to appear. If you have some problem areas that you know spiders are using to get inside your home, you can treat that area more often to prevent invaders.

Purchasing a can or two of spider spray each month is cheaper than calling in an exterminator. You also don’t have to worry about scheduling conflicts or strangers coming to your house to handle your spider problem.

• You can keep a can on hand for trips to the basement or attic.
• You can react quickly when you notice bug numbers start to rise.
• It’s cheaper and more convenient than calling an exterminator.

FAQs About Your New Spider Killer

Not everyone likes being a DIY exterminator. If you’re new to the game, you probably have some questions. Here are the most commonly asked questions that come up about spider killers. If you have any more questions, contact the manufacturer of the product you purchase.

Q. Where should I apply spider killer?

You can spot-spray a single bug, or treat your foundation, windows, doors, and other places spiders are likely to gather.

Q. Is spider spray safe?

If used correctly and safely, most spider killers are safe. Keep in mind that they are pesticides, and pesticides kill things. Contacting, ingesting, or breathing any of these pesticides is not recommended.

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.