Spiders can be useful because they eat household pests. But, having them at home, especially their cobwebs, is not a good sight for many. Therefore, homeowners look for ways to kill spiders and stop them from returning. One common method to kill the spider is using alcohol -but does it actually work? Well, it might not be a permanent solution, but it is highly effective. Read the article further to understand how alcohol helps kill spiders and the alternate ways to deter them.
Is Alcohol Effective in Killing Spiders?
The term “alcohol” refers to multiple solutions, and this creates a lot of confusion about its role in killing the spiders. Generally, alcohol solutions dehydrate the spiders, and then it might slowly kill them when kept in contact with alcohol for a long period. Dunking the spider in alcohol can also kill them, but this is not an easy and convenient way. Also, rubbing alcohol is not as strong as other options because it is diluted.
Which Alcohol Can Kill Spiders?
Rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol can both be used to kill spiders. There are varied opinions on whether both are the same or not. However, the fact is that rubbing alcohol is actually isopropyl alcohol in a diluted form at a lower concentration. It is composed of isopropyl alcohol and water.
Isopropyl alcohol is a highly concentrated chemical, but when diluted, it is better for cleaning and disinfecting purposes. The water in the rubbing solution helps the solution to permeate bacteria cells and break them down, making it safer to use in the home.
How to Use Isopropyl Alcohol to Kill Spiders?
Isopropyl alcohol is a budget-friendly way to kill pests, including spiders, mosquitoes, dust mites, and fleas. All you need is a bottle of isopropyl alcohol for this method. Just spray it directly on the pests or expose them for a prolonged period for it to work efficiently. Exposing large amounts of alcohol to the spiders will dehydrate them and also cause motor dysfunction. It is recommended to be a little cautious while using the alcohol if you have a pet at home.
How to Rub Alcohol to Kill Spiders?
Rubbing alcohol can keep spiders away from your home because of its smell, as spiders have sensitive smell receptors. The smell would only keep the spiders away from the home for a short period. However, in order to kill them, spiders need to be exposed to a large amount of rubbing alcohol for a long time. This would dehydrate them and cause motor dysfunction. The spiders may come back because of the other alluring smells. Therefore, it is important to cover the spider completely in rubbing alcohol for an extended period of time to kill them.
Alternative Ways to Kill the Spiders
1. Vacuum
Vacuuming might not kill the spiders instantly, only suck it up. Once you’ve vacuumed, try to empty it immediately and seal the bag if possible.
2. Insecticides Containing Pyrethrin
Insect sprays with pyrethrin as an active agent are a good option for killing a spider. They disrupt the spider’s nervous system, leading to paralysis and death.
3. Vinegar
Vinegar can kill a spider, but it may take some time and not be effective immediately. A spider’s exoskeleton can be burned if brought in contact with vinegar because of its strong acidic properties. Simply mix equal parts of vinegar and water and spray it directly on the back of the spider.
4. Household Staples
You can use some household items like air freshener and hairspray as pesticides. You can also use household cleaners to kill spiders.
Conclusion
You can easily kill spiders by using either rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol works effectively on spiders as it disrupts the process of breathing through their body. However, use alcohol cautiously because it is highly flammable. So, never apply it near open flames or heat sources.
