Does Windex Kill Spiders? | Information & Facts

To most people, spiders are some of the most frightening pests they could ever come across. While spiders only attack and bite when surprised or threatened, they inspire such intense fear that many people cannot summon the strength to kill them. So how can you kill spiders with Windex? 

Does Windex kill spiders? Windex kills spiders and works quite fast. To kill a spider, spray it with a generous amount of the product, enough that the spider can longer move. If you feel scared, spray from a distance but ensure to get a decent amount on the spider. Next, monitor the spider and remove it once it curls up.

In this article, you will learn all about how to use Windex to kill spiders. You will also discover other methods you can use to kill a spider from a distance.

How To Kill a Spider Without Touching It?

If the idea of touching a spider makes you shudder, then you’ll be pleased to know there are ways to kill them that don’t involve touching it. 

Here are several ways to kill a spider without touching it:

1. Cover the spider with boric acid.

2. Spray the spider with vinegar.

3. Use essential oils around your doors and windows.

4. Use assorted airborne toxins or chemicals in spray form.

Spiders are beneficial arachnids since they help control mosquitoes, flies, roaches, and other harmful insect pests. However, some can give extremely painful bites when disturbed. These include the black widow and brown recluse spider.

If you have a spider problem, but don’t want to get too close, try one of the following.

1. Cover the Spider with Boric Acid

Boric acid is extremely toxic to spiders. To use it, first, make sure to protect your hands and mouth so that you don’t accidentally consume the poison or cause irritation to your hands. After covering yourself, pour the boric acid on the spider. 

2. Spray the Spider with Vinegar

Vinegar contains acetic acid, a substance that is highly volatile to spiders – as such, spraying spiders with vinegar results in instant death. The pungent smell also helps to keep spiders away. 

Here’s how to use vinegar to kill a spider:

1. To prepare the solution, mix equal parts white vinegar to equal parts water in a spray bottle and spray directly on the spider. 

2. Spray from a distance of about 10 meters (32.8 feet) until the spider becomes immobile. 

3. You can also spray this mixture on spider webs or spiders hiding in closets, cabinets, or corners. 

4. To eliminate spiders, spray the vinegar solution daily for a period of 2 to 6 weeks. 

Related: How To Use Vinegar To Get Rid of Spiders?

Adding coconut oil to the vinegar mixture makes it more effective since the oil forms a layer that blocks their respiratory system.

3. Use Essential Oils Around Your Doors and Windows

Essential oils such as eucalyptus, tea-tree, peppermint, and rose oil are also effective in killing spiders. 

What’s more, their strong smell naturally repels them, preventing the spiders from making a comeback. For best results, spray the essential oils around your doors and windows.

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4. Use Assorted Airborne Toxins or Chemicals In Spray Form

Spiders are quite fragile, which means that any volatile airborne toxin or chemical is bound to eliminate them. This includes:

• Bug spray

• Hairspray 

• WD-40

• Febreze

• Atomized alcohol

• Household bleach

Deodorant is, however, not a suitable solution. Besides, you’d need to use copious amounts to achieve results. 

Related: Will Ant Spray Kill Spiders?

Here is a video detailing how to get rid of spiders:

Windex vs. Spider

When you’re thinking about bug spray substitutes, Windex may not be the first thing that comes to your mind. But Windex is actually a very effective spider – killer and you probably have some on hand in your house right now!

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Will Windex Kill a Spider?

Windex is a house cleaning agent that’s deadly enough to kill spiders. What’s more, if you spray enough Windex on the spider, it will die relatively fast. 

The reason behind this is that Windex contains ammonia and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate compounds that block the spider’s lungs, causing it to suffocate. 

To get rid of spiders in your homestead using Windex:

1. Put on goggles and a nose mask to protect your eyes and respiratory system since ammonium can cause headaches, breathing difficulties, or hurt your eyes.  

2. Ensure to lock all windows and doors and leave them this way for 30-60 minutes after spraying Windex.

3. Shake well before use, then spray Windex directly into the spiders’ hideouts, such as holes, cracks, closets, ceilings, walls, and corners. 

Spiders also make their homes on furniture, cabinets, and in the garage, so be sure to do a thorough inspection.

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How Long Does It Take Windex To Kill a Spider?

Once the Windex solution gets in contact with the spider, it takes between 1 and 15 minutes for the spider to die. However, different spiders react differently to Windex. Size and age are crucial factors here; the older and larger the spider, the longer it will take to feel the effects of Windex. 

On the other hand, if the Windex contains a high ammonia concentration, the spiders tend to die much faster. For instance, household Windex has a low ammonia concentration (5% to 10%), ideal for killing eggs and baby spiders, but it might not be sufficient to kill large spiders instantly. 

Windex spray kills spiders more quickly in enclosed spaces than in open areas since this concentrates the ammonia gas in a smaller space. Thus spiders die from suffocation rather than contact. Note that in an open area, the wind could blow away the spray and hamper your efforts to kill the spiders.

Also, when spraying Windex on your floors, ensure you saturate them entirely so that you kill all the spiders plus their eggs.

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How Will Spraying Windex on a Spider Kill It?

The ammonia and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate components cause death upon contact with the spider. Ammonia gets absorbed into the bloodstream leading to respiratory failure while the latter accumulates on the air sacs, blocking air into the spider’s respiratory system. 

Eventually, the spider dies as a result of reduced oxygen which leads to suffocation.

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Does Windex Kill Spider Eggs?

Windex kills spider eggs too. The degreaser contains water which drowns the spiders along with their eggs. In addition, the water also breaks the spiders’ web apart, forcing the spiders to look for another home. 

Related: How To Get Rid of Spider Eggs?

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Will Windex Kill Spider Nests?

Windex kills spider nests very effectively. Tiny spiders are simultaneously suffocated by ammonia and flooded with watery degreaser. Windex is a safe, inexpensive, and easily available way of getting rid of spider nests quickly.

Related: How To Get Rid of a Spider Nest?

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Other Spider Killer Sprays

The following are killer spider sprays from Amazon that get the job done:

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Harris Spider Killer Liquid Spray

Harris Spider Killer Liquid Spray is the most suitable product if you are looking to diminish the spider population in your home by treating your curtains or furniture. 

The product’s non-staining deltamethrin formula renders it excellent for spraying the carpet, fabrics, and solid surfaces, plus it’s safe to use. After spraying, allow the area to dry. 

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TERRO Spider Killer Aerosol Spray

TERRO Spider Killer Spray contains two synthetic pyrethrin components. Although this is not a natural product, it is relatively eco-friendly. 

The mineral oil-based carrier gives a residual effect that continues killing spiders for approximately 12 weeks. This product comes packed in a ready-to-use spray can, allowing you to reach the spiders wherever they are lurking.

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Hot Shot Roach & Spider Ant, Spider Killer 

This product offers one of the most durable residual protection in a spider killer spray. It features a synthetic pyrethrin derivative, as well as two carrier oil substances. 

Though somewhat expensive, the active ingredient in the spray killer works for 4 months, making it ideal for severe spider infestations. For best results, spray it into cracks, crevices, on the webs, and along known spider paths. 

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Southern Ag 10401 Natural Pyrethrin Concentrate

Southern Ag Natural Pyrethrin Concentrate is one of the safest spider killer sprays to use. And since it’s a concentrate, a little goes a long way, meaning it offers excellent value for money. 

Made from natural pyrethrins, this water-soluble, biodegradable insecticide is potent and results in a swift, painless death.

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Black Flag Spider & Scorpion Killer Aerosol Spray

This is one of the most cost-effective spider killer sprays you can lay your hands on. 

Composed of a synthetic pyrethrin mineral oil mix, this effective spray provides up to 4 months of residual effectiveness. As such, it’s quite ideal to use if you have a spider infestation since it’s affordable and long-lasting.   

Related: 7 Best Outdoor Spider Sprays Review

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How To Prevent Spiders From Accessing Your Home?

Finding spiders in your home means there are entry points that allow them to gain access. So, to prevent spiders from gaining entry, first, seal all the entry points and then use pesticides when the need arises. 

You can also use various natural methods to prevent spiders from accessing your home, such as:

1. Use sticky traps set in various places around the house.

2. Get rid of food sources like bugs.

3. Sprinkle finely ground black pepper on spider hideouts or them, then strain the water and use it to spray spider-infested areas. 

Another option is to sprinkle the ground with Diatomaceous Earth on spider-infested areas. 

This product contains fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms. It acts on contact, its sharp edges penetrating and killing all the spiders, eggs, and larvae. It also kills by dehydration as it absorbs fat and oil from the spider’s exoskeleton. 

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Summary

Windex is a quick-acting spider-killing solution that’s safe to use on your household surfaces. The ammonia-based cleaner kills spiders by cutting off their oxygen supply which leads to death through suffocation. 

The strong ammonia smell also repels the spiders away from your home. So for an easy, effective, and eco-friendly way to kill spiders that are out of reach, try Windex.

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List of Sources

Potter, M. F. (2018). Eliminating Spiders Around Homes and Buildings. College of agriculture, food and environment, University of Kentucky.

Vetter, R.S., Tarango, J., Campbell, K.A., Tham, C., Hayashi, C.Y., Choe, D.H., (2015). Efficacy of Several Pesticide Products on Brown Widow Spider (Araneae: Theridiidae) Egg Sacs and Their Penetration Through the Egg Sac Silk. Journal of Economic Entomology

Hahn, J., Jesse, L., Lewis, D., Liesch, P.J., (2019). Spiders. University of Minnesota Extension.

Fischer, A., Ayasse, M., Andrade, M.C.B., (2018). Natural Compounds as Spider Repellents: Fact or Myth? Journal of economic entomology.