Should You Use Raid Spray To Get Rid Of House Spiders?

Raid sprays can be helpful for eliminating a variety of insects and a few of the company's products are listed as being able to kill spiders. Raid claims that its ant and roach spray will kill the eight-legged creatures, including venomous varieties. The company also offers a spray specifically for spiders and scorpions. While Raid does not advertise its hornet spray as being effective for household spiders, it may be able to paralyze them or kill them by slowly suffocating them. While Raid can be effective at killing spiders, it may not be the best method for keeping your home free from them, thanks to the fact that the risks may outweigh the benefits.

Spiders can be scary to come across, but they are mostly harmless and can even be beneficial to have around. Because these arachnids eat insects, they can keep flies, mosquitoes, and other small pests out of your home. But that doesn't mean you want an army of them in your space. Fortunately, there are natural, chemical-free ways to get rid of them.

To use Raid against house spiders, you'll have to spray it inside your home, which could leave toxic chemicals behind that can be dangerous if inhaled, ingested, or if the spray directly touches your skin, according to Mount Sinai. Exposure to these chemicals could cause redness or irritation to the skin, difficulty breathing, and in more serious cases, seizures. The National Pesticide Information Center also states that pesticides can be dangerous for pets as well. 

You'll need to ensure you're using the spray in a well-ventilated room, and if you have pets, you'll need to cover their toys, food, and water bowls to prevent the pesticide from clinging to surfaces your animal might lick. To keep you and your family safe, it may be best to avoid using Raid sprays in your house, especially if you're only dealing with one or two spiders. 

If you have a serious fear of these eight-legged creatures but want to avoid chemicals, a mixture of half water and half vinegar can be used to kill spiders when sprayed directly onto them. Additionally, a spray bottle of water with 20 drops of peppermint oil can be used to discourage the arachnids from hanging out in your house. For serious spider infestations or if you're concerned you may have brown recluse spiders or black widows lurking in your home, it's best to call a pest control agency.

Besides brown recluse and black widow spiders, most of these arachnids cause very little or no harm to humans and they typically only bite as a defense mechanism. Even better, different kinds of spiders will eliminate various pests from your home. Orb weaver spiders are known to go after wasps, and jumping spiders can help with your ant problem. This being the case, you may want to try catching any spiders you find with a cup and a piece of paper and relocate them outdoors. This will allow them to continue getting rid of pests on your property without disturbing your peace.