As we all know, spiders can be a major pest. Up to 6.1% of the global population have an intense fear of the eight-legged insects, and many more of us shudder at the sight of a spider, making them one of the most feared insects on the planet.
Thankfully, there are more options than ever to help you get rid of spiders in your home and garden.
In this article, I’ll be going over a range of ways you can kill these pesky insects and keep your family safe from venomous spiders.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview: Top Choice
Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer is the best insecticide for spiders overall.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For quick indoor treatment, the best is Raid Max Spider and Scorpion Killer.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What to Consider Before Buying an Insecticide?
Before buying any insecticide, you need to be aware of the potential consequences of using these chemicals around your home. Not all insecticides are created equally, and some will be more effective than others.
Children and Pets
Understandably, insecticides are made of chemicals that are toxic to insects. However, these chemicals can also be toxic to your family, and in particular, children and pets. Before you use any insecticide, you need to make sure that you keep any children and pets away from the area you’re treating.
Application Method
Insecticides can be applied in a variety of different ways, and the method you choose will depend on what problem you want to treat. Liquid, solid, and gas-based insecticides will be different in how long they’re effective for, whether they need activating before use, and how effectively they can treat a spider infestation.
Indoor vs Outdoor
Not all insecticides will be as effective in your home as they are in your garden, and vice versa. In addition, using insecticides in your garden can kill beneficial insects that protect your plants – however, many of these insects might be a food source for your spider problem, so it’s worth taking that into consideration.
Type of Spider
It’s a common misconception that all spiders build webs, and in fact, some insecticides aren’t always effective against ground-dwelling spiders. Before choosing an insecticide, you should consider whether the type of spider you’re targeting will come into contact with the chemicals.
Legality
Depending on where you live, some insecticides may not be legal to use in your state or province. Before purchasing any insecticide, check your local laws to ensure your chosen solution is legal to use.
Using Insecticides Safely
Some insecticides are more toxic than others, so make sure you have the recommended protective gear when applying these chemicals. While some may only require you to wear gloves, stronger solutions may call for eye protection, face masks, and skin protection. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions and, if in doubt, seek advice before applying.
Best Insecticides For Spiders Reviewed
With those considerations in mind, here are the best insecticides we recommend to use against your spider problem.
1. Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer (Top Pick)
Key Features:
- Ready to use formula
- Effective for up to 12 months
- Odorless
- 3 feet long coiled hose and trigger sprayer included
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
This liquid insecticide is one of the best on the market, acting both as a barrier and as a direct contact spider killer. Unlike other insecticides, this product is just as effective indoors and outdoors, which makes it one of my top picks.
Once you’ve treated an area with Miss Muffet’s Revenge, it’ll give you up to 12 months peace of mind against spider infestations. While the formula will kill spiders upon contact, it also contains ingredients that deter even more spiders from entering your space.
Pros
- Odorless formula
- Extremely long-lasting – one application keeps your space protected against spiders for 12 months!
- Easy to apply – the included hose and trigger spray makes it easy to create a barrier around your home
Cons
- Takes 24 hours to dry fully, meaning outside applications may be ineffective if it rains in that time
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Onslaught FastCap Spider and Scorpion Insecticide
Key Features:
- Concentrated formula
- Direct kill spray
- Heavy-duty insecticide
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
This concentrated direct-kill formula is a great option if you need a heavy duty spray to deal instantly with a spider infestation. One 16-ounce bottle is plenty to treat infestations of any size, as with a dilution of 1 ounce to a gallon of water, it’ll help you keep infestations at bay throughout the year.
As a direct kill spray, Onslaught FastCap Spider and Scorpion works best when sprayed directly onto spiders, egg sacs, and any suspected hiding places. While it still has some effectiveness for months afterwards, it’s best applied directly onto the source of the problem.
Pros
- Concentrated formula – one bottle contains up to 16 applications
- Effective against the hardiest of spiders, and even scorpions!
- Measuring cup included – get the right dosage every time
Cons
- This formula works best as a direct kill spray, so it won’t necessarily protect your property against further infestations
- Requires dilution before use
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Raid Max Spider and Scorpion Killer
Key Features:
- Ready to use direct killer spray
- Odorless
- Effective on surfaces for up to 12 weeks
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
The ready to use formula of Raid Max makes it perfect to keep handy around the home, allowing you to tackle spiders wherever they appear. As a direct kill spray, Raid Max works best when sprayed directly onto the spider. It can also be used as a barrier spray to deter spiders from entering your home.
This formula kills spiders – and even scorpions – within a minute of being directly sprayed, and even the hardiest of arachnids only need two or three sprays to be eliminated. When you’re faced with venomous spiders in your home, having a can of Raid Max around ensures you can deal with the problem as soon as you see it.
Pros
- Ready to use formula – no dilution or mixing required!
- The spray can delivery means it’s always to hand when you need it
- Kills even the hardiest of spiders – keep your family safe from Black Widows and more
- Stays active on surfaces for up to 12 weeks, creating a barrier against further infestation
Cons
- Doesn’t last as long on surfaces as other formulas
- Larger spiders may require multiple applications
- Requires face and eye protection
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Bonide 363 Spider and Ground Bee Killer
Key Features:
- Powder-based barrier treatment
- Targeted insecticide against ground-dwelling spiders
- Outdoor use only
- Puffer-bottle applicator
Unlike the other products I’ve talked about, Bonide 363 is a barrier treatment, meaning it’s best applied to areas where you’ve seen spiders entering the house. The puffer bottle applicator allows you to apply the insecticide deep within any cracks and crevices so you can directly target those little nooks and crannies that spiders love.
If you’re dealing with a large-scale infestation of ground-dwelling spiders, you can apply Bonide 363 throughout your home’s foundations. This will prevent them from entering the property, and will eliminate any spiders hiding within your walls.
Pros
- The dust-based formula allows you to apply insecticide in all the places spiders love to hide
- Specifically formulated to target ground-dwelling insects like Wolf Spiders and Brown Recluse Spiders.
- Easily creates a barrier against home infestations
Cons
- Extremely toxic, making it unsuitable to use indoors without extreme protection measures
- Not as effective against web-building spiders
- Can’t be applied when rain is expected within 24 hours, or on surfaces that may become wet
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Terro Spider Killer Spray
Key Features:
- Ready to use direct kill formula
- Proven to kill “the big three” – Black Widows, Brown Recluse Spiders, and Hobo Spiders
- Long-lasting residual control for up to six weeks
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
The spider killer spray from Terro comes in a convenient aerosol can, allowing you to kill spiders and other crawling insects with a single spray. This hardy formula kills spiders within seconds, and lasts on surfaces for up to six weeks.
As both a direct kill and a repellant, this spray will kill and deter not only spiders, but also the source of their food. As with most insecticides, this does mean you may inadvertently kill the bugs you want to keep around, which is a risk you’ll have to take in balance with the effective spider killing power of Terro Spider Killer Spray.
Pros
- Ready to use, whenever you need it
- Handy aerosol can applicator means it’s always on hand
- Proven effective against “the big three”, ensuring your family is safe from even the most venomous of spiders
- Formula is effective for up to six weeks – preventing more spiders from entering your home!
Cons
- Requires regular reapplication to prevent further infestation
- Larger, hardier spiders may require additional applications
- Aerosol application will require eye and respiratory protection
Which Is Best?
As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from when choosing an insecticide to deal with your spider problem.
Overall, Miss Muffet’s Revenge Spider Killer comes out on top. While I’ve looked at multiple insecticides that act as both a direct kill and barrier treatment, this product lasts the longest between applications. With its included 3 feet long hose for application on ceilings and high walls, it is easily the most effective and easy to use treatment on this list, allowing you to target both ground-dwelling and web-building spiders with ease.
However, for quick, indoor treatment, you can’t beat Raid Max Spider and Scorpion Killer. The handy aerosol spray means you can stash it around your home to kill spiders whenever they dare make an entrance, and it’s easy enough to use without having to prepare your entire home for treatment.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
