Will Raid Hornet Spray Kill Spiders?

by Derrick | Last Updated: June 22, 2021

For some people, spiders are exciting creatures, and killing them is gruesome; to others, they are creepy and deadly. If spiders are not your thing, you’re probably thinking of how to get rid of them. Insecticides have been known to be effective against insects and pests, and one of these products is Raid Hornet, but just how effective can it be against spiders?

Raid Hornet Spray may kill spiders as it contains chemicals such as pyrethroids, cypermethrin, and imiprothrin. However, for the spray to be effective, you must spray it directly on the spiders and their webs. It may not kill any spider that comes to the area later. 

In the rest of this article, we’ll explain why Raid Hornet Spray may work against spiders. We’ll also show you how to use it on these long-legged creatures effectively. If you’d also like to learn other ways to get rid of spiders and how to prevent them from getting into your home, read on.

Are Spiders Dangerous?

There is a general scare towards spiders and the belief that they are venomous; however, that’s not entirely true. There are over 3,000 different species of spiders known, and amongst that large number, only about thirty to sixty of those can pose to be dangerous. 

The primary scare to spiders is in their bite or sting. Firstly, spiders do not sting as they do not possess stingers; however, they can bite. A spider will only bite a human on account of self-defense. Other than the typical “hunting-bites,” spiders consider humans the predator and rarely try to bite. 

Studies from the University of Minnesota reveal that over 80% of the suspected spider bites were bites caused by a different arthropod type. The only spiders that pose to be dangerous because of their venom are the Brown Recluse and Black Widow. 

Regardless, you need to know that these spiders rarely inject venom if they bite humans. Spiders only inject their venom when hunting prey like mosquitoes, flies, and other pests. Spider venom typically takes a while to replenish. If they waste it on humans during self-defense, they may starve to death before producing more. 

That said, you still need to take caution when it comes to spider bites, especially from the Black Widow or Brown Recluse. Bites from a black widow can cause neurological problems in children and other issues such as headache, numbness, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity, and painful, cramping muscles. In this case, you need to visit medical personnel.

How Does Raid Hornet Spray Kill Spiders?

Raid Hornet Spray contains several chemicals such as pyrethroids, cypermethrin, and imiprothrin that work to paralyze and kill many invertebrate species and bugs.

Raid Hornet kills spiders differently from the way you would generally expect since they are not necessarily insects. For insects, the Raid Hornet works as it acts on their nervous system and causes them to suffocate and die.

Spiders don’t have circulatory systems that can transport the insecticide into their organs. Their long legs also allow them to stay above the ground, so any insecticide sprayed on a surface will not touch their bodies. However, when the spray comes in contact with their bodies, it slowly tortures them because of the chemicals it contains. 

You can compare this effect to getting drowned in acetone. The death is usually slow and extremely agonizing because spiders try to hold their breathing against the smell. While this method may seem inhumane, it can help get rid of spiders quickly if you have arachnophobia or don’t want them anywhere near your home.

How To Use Raid Hornet Spray on Spiders

It can be quite a dutiful task getting rid of spiders since they often build their homes in discrete locations. However, if you continuously see spiders around your home and you need to find their hideout, try checking your basements or attics; you might find a nasty bunch of them there. Once you find them, you can get your can of spray ready.

For Raid Hornet Spray to be effective on spiders, you have to use them properly. As mentioned earlier, these sprays don’t work on spiders the same way they do on insects. With that in mind, let’s look at how to use Raid Hornet Spray effectively.

• Use it only outdoors. Raid Hornet Spray is designed for outdoor use only, so keep that in mind when considering this method. If the spiders are inside your home or office, you may want to try other ways of getting rid of spiders discussed later in the article.
• Shake the bottle properly. Once you are in the clear, shake the bottle of spray before applying it. Shaking the bottle helps to ensure that its content mixes properly and more effective when you use it.
• Remove all pets and children around. Before you begin spraying Raid Hornet, remove all pets and children and keep them in a safe area. After spraying the insecticide, clean the area thoroughly so the residue left behind doesn’t affect anyone around. 
• Spray directly on the spiders. If you have visible confirmation of the spider’s position, stand at a safe distance and spray Raid Hornet on it. Ensure you spray the Raid Hornet directly on the spider or on its webs for proper contact. If you don’t have visible confirmation of the spider’s location, spraying the area might not kill the spiders.
• Exit the area immediately. After spraying the spiders, leave the area immediately to avoid inhaling the fumes from the insecticide. Be sure to clean up the spiders later to prevent your pets from eating them. Eating a sprayed spider can make your pet sick, or worse, kill them.

Other Ways To Get Rid of Spiders

While the most probable reaction to seeing a spider is to grab a can of Raid Hornet and kill them for good, there are other less toxic ways to get rid of them. Here are a few ways you can consider besides spraying.

• Vacuum the spider: If you get squeamish touching or being close to a spider, get your vacuum cleaner. Use the cleaner’s hose to suck in the spiders, their webs, and eggs and empty them in the trash can outside. A bagged vacuum cleaner makes things easier. You only need to dump the bag in outdoor trash.
• Squash it: This method is the fastest and most common way to kill a spider. All you need to do is grab something, a shoe, book, jar, sandals, or anything you can find and squash the spider with it. Once the spider is dead, clean it up and the surrounding area with a wad of tissues.
• Catch the spider: This method is more humane than most other ones. Take a glass jar or cup and place it over the spider to trap it. Once you have it trapped, take it outside and let it go. With this method, you’re not actually killing the spider but only getting rid of it.

How To Keep Spiders Away From Your House

Regardless of the method you use in getting rid of spiders, the best way to avoid another occurrence is to prevent them from getting in the first place. Here are some tips that can help you keep spiders away from your home.

• Turn off your lights: The lights don’t attract spiders, but they attract insects, which are their favorite meal. Always keep the lights off when not in use.
• Get cleaning: Clean your home regularly and get rid of the clutter. Move the bins far away from your home and keep them closed to avoid flies hanging around.
• Use citrus: If your house is spider-prone, try rubbing citrus peels over your window sills, skirting boards, and bookshelves. Spiders hate the scents of all types of citrus.
• Don’t create a hiding place for them: Remove piled-up boxes that are not in use. They become hideouts for these pests. Also, seal up cracks, gaps, and crevices in the walls, doors, and windows to prevent them from coming in.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article has provided answers to all the questions you have about Raid Hornet Spray and spiders. The product is effective against spiders, but you have to spray it directly on them and their webs. Keep children and pets away from the area and clean any residues left.

After killing the spiders, be sure to:

• Regularly clean your home.
• Turn off the lights when not in use.
• Seal up all cracks, gaps, and crevices.

Sources

• Plunkett’s: Are the Spiders in My House Dangerous?
• EspacePourlavie: How Dangerous Are Spiders?
• AnuBlog: 9 Best Ways to Kill Spiders Without Touching Them
• CountryLiving: 11 Natural Ways to Keep Spiders Out of Your House
• Raid: How Do I Get Rid of Spiders?
• The Spruce: Prevention Tips for Controlling House Spiders
• wikiHow: How to Get Rid of Spiders in the House