When you search online for ways to remove spiders from your home, you will come across several ideas (homemade and chemical-based). Essential oils and vinegar are among the most common options that surface online. However, another common practice many suggest is using bleach on spiders. Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite compounds along with many other ingredients. You can use bleach in different corners of your house to keep spiders away or to destroy the ones that havet have already invaded your home.
Can Spiders Survive on Spraying Bleach?
Bleach is one option for killing spiders because of its disinfecting properties. The sodium hypochlorite ingredient in bleach helps kill fungi, viruses, and bacteria on diverse surfaces. However, you must not use bleach to clean wood, toys, or any electrical surfaces, as it is highly corrosive. Bleach's corrosiveness makes it unsuitable for pests and insects, including spiders. Bleach is harmful to spiders if they ingest it or come into close contact with it.
What Happens to a Spider When It Comes Into Close Contact With Bleach?
Many people ask whether bleach can actually kill spiders or if they can survive it. The hypochlorous acid in bleach disrupts the functioning of the spider’s cells. The acid also suffocates these eight-legged creatures by damaging their exoskeleton. Similarly, the acidic bleach solution addresses the root of the problem by killing spider eggs and helping prevent infestation. It also helps destroy spider webs and reduces the likelihood of spiders returning.
How to Use Bleach to Kill Spiders?
To use bleach to kill spiders, you must prepare a solution to spray on them. Here are the steps to prepare and use the bleach spray solution.
Step 1: Add 1 part bleach to 3 parts water, then pour the solution into a spray bottle.
Step 2: Spray this solution directly on the spiders from a safe distance of about 6 to 10 inches.
Step 3: Once the spider dies, carefully dispose of the dead spider and its remains. Clean up the area to avoid bleach stains on surfaces.
Step 4: Spray this solution weekly on areas where you often see spiders, and in any cracks where spiders can invade your house.
Safety Tips While Using Bleach to Kill Spiders
While a bleach solution is highly effective in killing spiders, you must not ignore its toxicity. Therefore, follow safety measures when preparing the solution and when using it on spiders.
- Wear a mask, gloves, and eye protection when preparing the bleach solution and applying it to the spiders.
- Prepare the solution in a well-ventilated area to avoid fumes lingering in the air.
- The bleach solution is toxic and can cause stains, so be mindful when spraying it on surfaces.
- Wipe the surface well after removing the dead spiders to avoid discoloration or stains.
- Store the bleach solution in a dark container and keep it out of reach of children.
- Lastly, use the solution within 24 hours of preparing it.
Should You Use Bleach to Kill Spiders?
Spraying bleach solution on spiders is a highly effective way to kill them. But there is still debate about whether you should use bleach to kill spiders. Spiders die because of bleach's corrosive nature. So, this corrosive nature can also stain or even damage your surfaces. Similarly, spraying bleach solution at spider entry points or around your house can be dangerous for kids and pets. Once you spray the bleach solution, it also releases dangerous fumes in the air, which can be hazardous if the affected area is not ventilated. So, either you should use a bleach solution with extreme caution or try other home remedies to get rid of spiders.
Verdict
The sight of spiders crawling on the walls or even spider webs hanging from ceiling corners is an unpleasant sight. Among various remedies, bleach is considered one of the most effective options to kill these spiders and destroy their webs. However, as a bleach solution is highly toxic, it has to be prepared and used with extreme caution. Follow the necessary precautionary measures to use bleach efficiently without causing any health hazards to the residents of the house.
