The Powerful Pesticide That'll Send Spiders Crawling Out Of Your Home

If you've got an abundance of eight-legged critters in your midst, it can be hard to cope with their creepy existence. Having too many spiders around is especially scary if you live in an area with venomous black widows or dangerous brown recluses. Luckily, you can use a simple but powerful pesticide to keep them away: mothballs. If you've never heard of this trick before, it might sound ridiculous, but these small white balls of chemicals aren't only effective at keeping moths that feast on clothing away. They're a solid pesticide solution that's also effective at repelling other common household pests like spiders.

Mothballs are also convenient to use, as they simply need to be contained and placed in the area that's being overrun by spiders. This pesticide typically contains either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, two toxic chemicals that are highly effective against pests. While solid at room temperature, the mothballs slowly dissipate into the surrounding air, creating a gas that is bothersome and even toxic to spiders and other pests. Because of this, you can use mothballs to drive spiders out from the darkest corners of your home and keep them from coming back. 

To use mothballs as a spider repellent, add a few of them into a jar or a similar resealable container. Avoid touching the mothballs or inhaling their fumes. Seal the jar, then puncture a few holes in the lid to allow the gases to escape. Finally, place the jar in a corner of a garage, crawl space, attic, basement, shed, or wherever you notice spiders tend to congregate but also where you or others don't spend extended amounts of time. Ensure the space is well-ventilated and that the jar is out of reach of children or pets. Mothballs last about three to six months before disappearing completely, but some may protect your home from spiders for up to a year. Arachnids are repelled by many strong scents including those caused by mothballs, which have a bitter and sharp odor.

Keep in mind that putting mothballs in frequently-used areas of your home could be dangerous, as they emit an unpleasant smell and expose people and pets to toxic gas. You should never use mothballs in closets, confined spaces, children's rooms, or nurseries where the heavy gases can build up or sink to the floor. However, mothballs in a jar make an excellent solution for deterring spiders while you're away on vacation or gone for the season. For example, you can use mothballs to prevent spiders from infesting a lake house during the winter. As long as they're used properly and with caution, mothballs can be an effective spider repellent solution.