No matter how hard you invest in keeping spiders at bay, there will always be a moment when you turn around and find one somewhere in your home. Now, it’s natural to want to get rid of it as soon as possible, especially if you are among the people who are terrified of these tiny creatures.
And yes, the first thing that probably comes to mind whenever you spot a creepy-crawly is to flush it down the toilet. But is this really the best way to go about it? Keep reading to find out whether flushing a spider down the toilet is okay.
Is It Okay To Flush a Spider Down The Toilet?
While a spider won’t clog your toilet plumbing system, flushing it down the toilet isn’t the best thing to do. Flushing is an inhumane way of getting rid of these arachnids since they will likely drown in the water.
First of all, let’s get something out of the way: most spiders found in households are not dangerous. In fact, most of them are beneficial since they help depopulate your home of pesky insects.
But again, there are a few exceptions. Species like black widow and brown recluse can harm humans. But even then, there’s no need to kill them since they will eventually die on their own if you leave them alone.
So, if you can help it, try to catch the spider and release it back into the wild. It’s way better than killing them needlessly. If you must kill it, use one of the alternative ways we will be discussing later in the article.
Flushing a spider down the toilet is not a friendly way to deal with these arachnids. It won’t harm your piping system or cause your toilet to clog, but it will cause the spider to die a slow and painful death. So, if you can help it, avoid it.
Can Spiders Survive Going Down The Drain?
While they still can, it’s uncommon for spiders to survive going down the drain. Actually, the only way a spider can stay alive is when lucky enough to secure a spot they can cling to within the plumbing without getting washed away.
A live spider will seldom make a successful trip through your piping system. The spider will get trapped down there and drown to death most of the time. But that may take longer than it would some insects, though.
Usually, spiders can stay up to an hour submerged without drowning. That’s because these arachnids have a low metabolic rate. That means that they can survive with very little oxygen for quite long.
But again, the time a spider can stay alive down there varies depending on the type of the spider. Some species like the diving bell spider can remain submerged for up to a day.
So, whether or not the spider will survive going down the drain doesn’t have a straightforward answer. It much depends on how fortunate they are and the spider species.
So, should you fear that the spider may crawl out of the toilet into your home after you flush it?
Well, we have that still coming later in the article. But just before we get there, let’s take a quick look at something about the eggs.
Can You Flush Spider Eggs Down The Toilet?
No, you shouldn’t. If you have to flush spider eggs down the toilet, ensure they are well-crushed. Uncrashed spider eggs can survive in the sewer since they have a protective sac surrounding them.
One effective way to handle a spider infestation is to work on both the live spiders and the eggs. Getting rid of spiders alone will undoubtedly bring some relief to your home. But this liberty will only last for as long as it takes the existing eggs to hatch.
After the eggs hatches, you’ll have to go back to the drawing board. That’s definitely not what you want. So, to avoid all that, work on both the spiders and their eggs.
As for the eggs, you may find it hard to spot them since they are usually tiny. But if you know where to look, finding spider eggs shouldn’t be that difficult. Look for them in dark and sheltered areas such as closets, drawers, behind the furniture, and so on.
Once you find them, vacuum them up or even crush them with something. Just make sure not to leave a single one since they can quickly hatch and repopulate.
Unless you crush the eggs, avoid flushing them down the toilet.
You see, spider eggs have better resilience than mature spiders. They can survive several days in the sewer before they hatch. So, if you must flush them down, make sure they are dead first by killing them with chemicals or crushing them.
Otherwise, the egg may attach somewhere in your piping system and hatch. And while the newly-hatched spiders may not be able to survive, it’s still best to avoid that from happening.
Can Spiders Come Up Through The Toilet?
Once you flush a live spider through your toilet plumbing system, some of them may find their way up depending on the strength of the flush. However, the chances of them crawling out are very minimal.
A live spider will fight as much as possible not to get flushed down the toilet. So, for it to go down, it will take several flushes depending on the flushing force generated by the plumbing system.
In most cases, a single flush doesn’t just do the trick. The spider will usually fight its way up and you may soon see it floating on the water. Even so, that shouldn’t scare you. The chances of a spider crawling up from there are very slim.
Does Killing a Spider Attract More?
Technically, a dead spider won’t attract other spiders. However, the carcass may attract other insects to come and eat it, which now invites other spiders to avail themselves to feast on the said bugs.
There’s been a misconception that a dead spider will produce some pheromone that attracts other spiders. But that’s not exactly the case.
Spiders are not social animals like bees or ants. They don’t live in colonies, nor do they work together. They usually lead a solitary life. Hence, the idea of releasing pheromones to attract others doesn’t make much sense, considering that there won’t be any willing to come in and help happily.
So, if you kill a spider and soon see another one, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the dead spider attracted more. It may be because other insects are now present in your home, and spiders usually follow them.
Where Do Spiders Go When Flushed Down The Toilet?
As long as the spider doesn’t get a spot to cling to, it will go straight down to the same place where everything else goes when flushed.
The force of the flush may make the spider die of impact on its way down. But just in case it reaches down safely, it won’t survive for long. As much as some spiders can stay in an aquatic environment for long, they still need to get some oxygen.
When they can’t get enough of it, they will eventually die. So, if you’ve flushed a spider down the toilet and somehow manage to survive its trip down, it won’t last for more than a day.
The dead spider will then decompose because of the bacteria in the sewer, eventually becoming part of the sludge.
How To Keep Spiders Out of The Home?
You can keep spiders from your home by regularly cleaning the house, especially where these arachnids usually hide. Check to work on the corners, cabinets, and other hard-to-reach places. Spiders typically build their webs in these areas because they’re undisturbed most of the time.
As much as they can be a real nuisance, keeping these arachnids off your home doesn’t have to be complicated. And one way effective way to achieve a spider-free home is by cleaning your house from time to time.
That way, you can remove any spider webs, eggs, and even spiders themselves. Doing this will eventually discourage spiders from coming into your home, as there won’t be any suitable place for them to stay.
Other effective ways of achieving a spider-free home include;
1. Using Vinegar
Vinegar has a long list of uses around the home. However, one thing most people don’t know about this standard household product is that it makes for a perfect spider repellent. Just mix equal parts of water and white vinegar and spray the solution on corners – and that’s it!
2. Using Essential Oils
Essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender oil can also serve as an effective spider repellent. That’s because most spiders hate the strong smell of these oils.
To use essential oils as spider repellent, mix 10-15 drops of the oil of your choice with water and spray the solution to corners and other areas where spiders usually hide.
You can also put a few drops of these oils into a cotton ball and place them in corners or other areas where spiders usually hide.
3. Remove Any Spider Webs
Another effective way to win the battle against spiders is by removing any spider webs you see around your home. That way, you make it difficult for spiders to build their webs and lay their eggs, eventually leading to a spider-free home.
Spider webs can serve as a perfect hiding place for spiders. So, by removing them, you make it difficult for these arachnids to stay in your home.
4. Close Entry Ways
Closing entryways will also go a long way to help keep spiders our of your space. If possible, keep your doors and windows closed during the day.
If you can’t for one reason or another, it will help to install screens at the entryways. These will act as a physical barrier, keeping spiders and other insects out of your home.
5. Deal With The Food Source
One of the main reasons spiders come into your home is to look for food. So, by dealing with other pests in your home, you can also make it spider-free.
So yes, eliminate any insects and other food sources that could be attracting spiders. Once these pests are gone, spiders will have no reason to come into your home, eventually leading to a spider-free environment.
6. Use Commercial Pesticide
Lastly, you may need to invest in commercial pesticides to get rid of spiders. It should come in when everything else fails.
However, before using any pesticides, it’s essential to read the label carefully to ensure the product is safe to use around your home.
Pesticides can be effective in getting rid of spiders. However, they can also be harmful to you and your family if not used properly.
Final Verdict
While flushing a spider down the toilet won’t give your plumbing system any issues, it’s not the best way of getting rid of spiders. It’s just way too inhumane to get rid of these arachnids.
If you don’t want spiders at your home, you can consider other “safer” alternative ways of getting the job done. But again, if they’re unwelcome, it makes sense to direct more effort to prevent them from coming to your home in the first place.