Regardless of where we live, spiders are a source of disgust and invoke a sense of primal fear. Most commonly found in humid and temperate climates, spiders have been around for ages. Not all spiders are inherently harmful. Some act as a natural pest control for our house and community. However, there are a few species that are highly venomous.
Hence, they need to be eliminated. To get rid of these critters, people generally opt for either professional help or ready-made solutions like Windex. But the question arises, "Does Windex kill spiders?" “Is it an effective way to kill a spider?”
This blog talks about whether Windex can really help you solve your spider problems.
Does Windex Really Work?
Windex is relatively safe for humans, but it is very dangerous for insects. So, if you consider spraying the spider with Windex, it means they’ll die instantly. This is because the solution contains ammonia and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. The ammonia in Windex eats away the exoskeleton, and both chemicals can block their airways, which means they suffocate to death.
Windex is usually effective in killing spiders if it is directly sprayed or applied to them. Once Windex is completely coated, it will start killing the spider. However, this is not considered a highly effective technique to get rid of spiders from homes, as it may require a large amount of the solution to ensure the spiders are completely coated.
In addition to killing spiders, they can also help you get rid of ants. But, if you use it on ants, remember that ants reproduce rapidly and don’t carry Windex to their nest, which means it is a temporary solution.
Also, Windex doesn’t work as a repellent, which means it’s not as effective in dealing with occasional bugs as simply sweeping or squishing them. So, it’s better to stick to the fact that it was just meant to work as a cleaner. If you have a heavy spider infestation, consider calling a pest control company.
How Long Does It Take To Kill Spiders?
If used properly and the spider is thoroughly covered, Windex may take around 1 to 15 minutes to kill it. You’ll notice the spider becoming inactive, and eventually its body will start to curl as the effect of the solution begins. This process takes the same amount of time as using bleach to eliminate spiders.
What Are the Alternatives to Get Rid of Spiders?
To get rid of spiders, it is important to stop focusing on quick fixes like spraying Windex. Instead, understand the root cause of their entry into your home. Remember that spiders thrive in environments with ample food sources, like flies and cockroaches, and love dark and cluttered spaces where they can hide and build webs. So, here are some ways to ensure that the spiders are not invading your home -
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Keep the home clean and decluttered, and remove any hiding spots.
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Address other infestations too, as they may attract the spiders in the house.
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Seal cracks and gaps that spiders may use to enter the house.
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Use sticky traps in dark, undisturbed areas, under the furniture, and areas where spiders are noticeable.
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Use a spider-killing solution to ensure that even the hidden spiders are killed.
These methods do not work actively, but reduce your effort of chasing down the spider to kill them. However, if your effort does not show any results in a week, consider calling a pest removal company near you. Professionals use targeted insecticides to help you get rid of spiders. Save Windex for your window cleaning purposes!
What Are Some DIY Methods of Killing Spiders?
Here are some DIY methods that can help get rid of spiders in your home -
Soap And Water
Dish soap is a simple yet effective way of killing pests. Mix a small amount of dish soap with water in a bowl, then place it in places where you usually find spiders. Once they come anywhere near the solution, they will jump toward it and fall into the soapy water and drown.
Boric Acid
Boric acid is used in gardens, and nowadays, it has been associated with a DIY pest-killing solution. It is safe for humans (provided you don’t eat it), but poisonous for pests as they damage their exoskeletons. Placing it around areas commonly associated with pests can prevent them from entering your home.
Borax
Borax is mainly used as a laundry additive and is safe for humans. However, they kill pests on contact, which makes them best for killing spiders. Also, they are easy to use. All you need to do is place them in areas where you usually see pests.
Conclusion
Technically, Windex does kill spiders, but it needs to be applied generously and directly on spiders. As most spiders hide away from sight, this makes the solution not a very reliable way to resolve your spider problem. Also, Windex takes a lot of time to work.
