Do Air Fresheners Like Febreze Kill Spiders?
Spiders can be a common household pest, particularly in the fall when they are searching for warm places to spend the winter.
While there are many methods for controlling spiders, one question that often comes up is whether air fresheners can be used to kill or repel these eight-legged creatures.
So, Can air fresheners kill spiders?
Let’s find out.
Can Air Freshener Kill Spiders?
Yes and No. Yes because the chemicals in air fresheners, such as pyrethrin are toxic enough to kill spiders. However, leaving an air freshener will not kill spiders because they’re usually found in hidden areas of your room.
Spiders have a fragile body, hence, to kill them, you need to spray them with air freshener directly. A good example is Febreze air freshener which kills spiders instantly on contact.
How Febreze kills spiders
Febreze contains several ingredients that are toxic to spiders, including:
- Ethanol
- Ethyl acetate
- Hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin
- Limonene
These ingredients can poison, suffocate, irritate, or strip the spider’s exoskeleton, causing death in a few different ways:
Direct Contact
- When Febreze is sprayed directly on a spider, it can cover the spider’s body and block its breathing holes (called spiracles). This prevents the spider from getting oxygen and leads to suffocation.
Residue in Habitat
- When Febreze residue is left in a spider’s web or habitat after spraying, it can create a hostile environment for the spider. The spider may try to escape or clean itself, but in doing so it may ingest or inhale the Febreze, which can damage its internal organs and nervous system.
Airborne Particles
- When Febreze is sprayed, it creates a fine mist of fragrance that can reach the spider’s sensory organs (chemoreceptors). These organs help the spider detect smells, tastes, and pheromones. The Febreze can overwhelm the chemoreceptors, causing confusion, disorientation, or distress.
Can Air Freshener Keep Spiders Away?
There is limited evidence to show air fresheners repel spiders. Spiders have a strong sense of smell and might sense certain scents. The University of Kentucky’s study found peppermint oil slightly repels spiders, but this was not proven significant.
What smells stop spiders?
Some researchers claim that if an air freshener has the following, it can repel spiders[2, 3,4].
- Citrus scents
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Rose
- Tea tree
- Cinnamon
Smells such as eucalyptus, peppermint and rose can kill spiders too. Others such as Cedarwood oil have no effect on spiders.
Do air fresheners have insecticidal properties
Some air fresheners may have insecticidal properties, as they can contain chemicals that are intended to kill or repel insects. Two examples of these chemicals are p-dichlorobenzene and naphthalene, which are commonly found in mothballs.
What kills Spiders Instantly?
A pesticide made for spiders can kill them fast. Follow the label’s instructions and use it in a place with good air flow to reduce chemical risk. Insecticides like pyrethrin and pyrethroid can kill spiders when they touch them. These are often in sprays that you can use right on the spider.
This includes glue traps with sticky stuff to catch spiders and snap traps that kill them fast. To get rid of a spider fast, sweep it up with a broom or dustpan. Avoid crushing the spider to prevent a mess and harmful chemicals
What sprays can kill a spider?
There are several types of sprays that can be effective at killing spiders. They include
- Insecticides
- Pesticides
- Spider repellents
- Air freshener sprays (if sprayed directly)
What Next?
Some air fresheners kill spiders but have harmful chemicals and pollute the air. Other ways to control spiders at home are safer and may work better. These include sealing cracks, removing food and water, and using spider repellents.
If these don’t work, consider a professional pest control service.
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