Spiders are among the most threat-posing insects to humans due to their poison, appearance, and disease-carrying nature. Therefore, most people look for effective solutions to eliminate these insects. As various chemical compositions are effective and less effective in killing spiders, most people ask if borax kills spiders.
When killing spiders and other insects, it is essential to use an effective and non-harmful approach. Therefore, we have composed this comprehensive guide to help you learn whether borax kills spiders alongside other insects and its effectiveness and safety. Read on!
Will Borax Kill Spiders?
Yes, the borax powder will kill spiders but not directly. This powder will kill insects that spiders feed on, such as roaches, ants, and termites. This will cause spiders to die out of starvation or leave their habitat. However, boric acid used to kill spiders can kill them directly.
Although boric acid is harmless to humans, it is highly toxic to spiders. This acid is mainly made from boron, a substrate commonly found in water and soil. Boric acid is abrasive and harmful to spiders’ skin and digestive systems.
Using boric acid, you should sprinkle the acid on the spider’s skin to kill spiders. Alternatively, you can spray this acid on spiders’ feeding insects to induce it into their digestive system. However, you should be careful when handling this acid as it can be harmful if it enters your eyes.
How Does Borax Kill Spiders?
When insects that spiders feed eat borax, they experience complications in their stomach and nervous system and eventually die. Also, it damages their skin killing them. Thus, this eliminates food for spiders, making them die due to starvation.
If you accidentally touch your eyes after sprinkling borax powder on something like a spider web, ensure you wash your hands immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes to prevent further exposure to excessive amounts of borax.
What Kills a Spider Instantly?
There are various methods of killing a spider instantly. They include squishing, vacuuming it, spraying it with an effective insecticide, and using a pest control bomb. Here is an overview of each of these methods:
Spraying with an Insect Spray
Regular spraying of the insect hiding areas using an effective insecticide kills spiders before they become a major problem in your home or property. These unique sprays are highly effective such that they protect your home once sprayed for up to six months. Therefore, they can be considered an instant solution to killing spiders.
When spraying these insecticides, you should ensure the safety measures provided by the manufacturer. Also, spraying windows and doorways would help prevent these insects from getting in.
Vacuuming it Up
You can instantly kill spiders using a strong vacuum and eliminate the cobwebs and other potential egg sacs they leave behind. Typically, you should use a long hose to suck the spider into the vacuum bag and ensure the vacuum runs for a long time. Later, you can dispose of the vacuum bag by placing it in an airtight bag.
However, if your vacuum lacks a bag, you can use this method if you don’t mind emptying its dust canister after the spider dies. This method can be considered effective and eco-friendly since it does not affect the environment.
Squishing the Spider with a Solid Object
Most spiders that you easily spot around your home and property are generally harmless, and you can instantly kill them by squishing them using a tissue or a solid object. However, this method has a downfall because it is a manual method that requires proximity to kill the spider. Also, this method can be less effective if you are insect-phobic.
Using a Pest Control Bomb
Using a pest control bomb, you can easily eliminate spiders and other infesting insects. This product covers a large surface area and allows you to kill spiders on your own. These bombs function by releasing some fine that easily spreads in a room to kill spiders and other insects.
Does Borax Kill Maggots?
Yes, borax kills maggots. This powder is commonly used as a cleaner and laundry booster and kills maggots. Generally, it dehydrates them, making them die.
Although borax is not an instant solution for killing maggots, it is quite effective in killing these insects. You only need to sprinkle some borax on maggots or spray a mixture of borax and water.
Also, you can sprinkle some borax on a cloth or paper towel and place it on the area infested by maggots to kill them.
All these methods of exposing borax to maggots will effectively kill them. Later, you will need to dispose of dead maggots carefully, as they can attract other pests to your property.
Is Borax Toxic to Breathe?
Yes, breathing in borax will expose you to many health risks. This powder can hurt your throat, lungs, and nose if you breath it in.
Borax can also irritate your eyes and skin when it gets on its surface. Also, ingesting small amounts of borax can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, kidney failure, and shock in excess. Therefore, you should be careful when handling this powder by wearing protective gear such as goggles and masks and observing safety measures, including washing your hands after contact.
What Bugs Does Borax Kill?
Borax kills various bugs, including bed bugs, cockroaches, beetles, ants, and mites. Generally, this powder alters their digestive and nervous system, making them eventually die.
Natural Ways to Keep Spiders out of Home
Here are 10 natural ways to keep spiders out of home:
1. White Vinegar
White vinegar is a common household essential used to eliminate spiders in your home. While this solution is harmless to humans, it has some acetic acid with a sour odor and taste, which is highly sensitive to spiders. To repel spiders using white vinegar, you should spray an equal portion of water and vinegar in their habitats.
Typically, you will mix equal portions of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the solution around your home when focusing on your kitchen and entry points that spiders use. You can also use vinegar to clean your kitchen and bathroom as you keep spiders out of your home.
2. Mint
Mint is an excellent natural pest repellant that spiders and other bugs hate. To use it, you should add peppermint oil to water in a spray bottle and spray this solution all over your home. You can consider this repellant since it also leaves your home with a fresh smell.
Alternatively, you can crush some dry mint leaves and place them in small sachets in your kitchen cupboard. You can substitute them with mint tea bags if you don’t have fresh mint.
Lastly, planting mint leaves close to your entryways is also an effective way of preventing spiders and bags from getting into your home.
3. Citrus
Spiders hate citrus, and placing some citrus in a bowl on your kitchen counter can keep out spiders. Also, you can rub the remaining citrus peels on your doorways and windowsills. You can also attempt soaking orange peels in a vinegar solution to minimize the smell of vinegar.
Later, you can spray the infused vinegar in an equal ratio of water using a water bottle in your home. Moreover, you can use it as a cleaning agent or spray it on high-bug-traffic areas.
4. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is an effective, inexpensive, non-toxic powder for repelling spiders if you mind about your children’s or pet’s safety. This powder dehydrates spiders and bugs and kills them.
To use the DE to repel spiders, add a tablespoon of the powder to a spray bottle of water. You can mix it properly by shaking it and spraying it around your home where spiders hide. Also, you can use it to keep pests away from your garden by putting a ring of this powder mixed with water in your garden.
Nonetheless, you should be careful not to inhale DE as it can expose you to health risks.
5. Horse Chestnuts
Horse chestnuts are well-known for keeping away spiders. You only need to place a few along baseboards or windowsills to prevent spiders from reaching these areas. Chestnuts can last for an extended period before going bad, making them a suitable natural approach.
6. Cedar
Sprinkling cedar chips and blocks around and inside your home naturally eliminate spiders and other bugs. Fortunately, they also leave your home with an amazing woody smell.
7. Getting Rid of Dust
Spiders often make cobwebs in dusty areas. Therefore, keeping your home tidy and clean makes spiders less inviting. Also, you ensure often vacuuming, and dusting will prevent insects from making their home.
8. Watching Your Landscape
Ensuring your landscape is tidy and free from grass clippings, leaves, and wood piles eliminate the spiders’ hideout. Thus, you should prune your bushes and trim the weeds. This will successfully keep away spiders and other bugs from your compound.
9. Organizing Your Home
Spiders are often attracted to cluttered and dark spaces. You should therefore try organizing, stacking, dusting, sealing storage areas, vacuuming, and dusting your home. Additionally, avoid regular recycling as stacks of stored boxes can serve as a hideout for spiders.
10. Don’t Allow them In
Keeping spiders out is the most effective method of keeping them out of your home. Ensure your home is well-sealed to prevent these pests from getting into it. Furthermore, always check all your windowsill and door openings to ensure there is not enough room where spiders can fit through.
Also, you can apply weather stripping and caulk on openings and cracks to prevent them from entering your home.
Wrapping Up
Borax will kill spiders by killing insects that they feed on and making their habitat less suitable. It will also kill insects and bugs such as mites, ants, bed bugs, and cockroaches by affecting their digestive and nervous systems. Nonetheless, other natural methods are effective for keeping spiders away from home.