Notice any stain or smears on your shower door, mirror, or window. The first thing to come to your mind will likely be Windex. This household cleaner makes a favorite cleaning solution for many, thanks to the outstandingly great results it delivers on the same.
Now, being one of the most versatile household cleaners, it’s undoubtedly clear that Windex works well when it comes to most cleaning chores. But for some applications, let’s say killing bugs, for instance, whether Windex suffices has attracted a hot debate among homeowners.
Perhaps that’s what brought you here. And yes, you just made the right move to this place. Here, we will cover everything you need to know about whether or not Windex can help in your current spider infestation. So does Windex kill spiders?
Does Windex Kill Spiders And Their Eggs?
Yes, Windex can kill spiders together with their eggs. Windex contains Ammonium hydroxide and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, two of spiders’ worst enemies. So yes, if you’ve been battling spider infestation for a long time, chances are you have for all this while having the solution right within your reach!
Perhaps you are wondering how a glass cleaner turns out to be one of the most effective weapons of war against spiders. And yes, it’s absolutely understandable! After all, their primary work isn’t any close to that of insecticides.
But believe me, Windex does well at eliminating spiders. In fact, it’s more effective at killing those frightening crawlies than you could be thinking.
Let me break it down for you!
As we began by saying, there are two main “active” ingredients in Windex for killing spiders. We have the ammonium hydroxide and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate.
When you spread Windex on spiders, the ammonia fumes from the cleaning solution will suffocate the spider causing respiratory failure. And when an organism can’t breathe, then it can’t live either.
As for sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, it works much like ammonia. Precisely, this Windex component will accumulate in the spider’s airsacs, preventing air from entering into the spider’s respiratory system. That will then make the spider die from suffocation – the exact of what ammonia does.
Other Ways To Kill Spiders
Spiders come in different species, sizes, and colors. However, no matter what kind of spider you are grappling with, one sure thing is that you do not want to share your scope with any. Perhaps that’s what drove you here.
Luckily, there are a thousand and one ways to deal with spiders – ranging from artificial to natural methods. It will ease your mind to know you can have a spider-free home by using some day-to-day solutions.
Here are simple methods;
Method 1: Use of Vacuum Cleaners
If you are a regular traveler who visits places for some time and leaves your house unattended, I believe you clearly understand how spiders can be a nuisance. Containing them is a hurdle. You have to invest time and resources to deal with them.
And yes, one of the things that will help you regain a spider-free home is a vacuum cleaner! Yes, a vacuum cleaner doesn’t just clean sawdust, debris, and pet hair! It can also clean spiders from your space.
And yes, you don’t need an engineer’s mind to use a vacuum cleaner. Actually, it does all the work for you. Yours is to get the right setting for the job – and the work will be half-done.
Procedure:
- Ensure that the Vacuum sac is empty and clean
- Adjust the cleaner to the maximum setting
- Use the cleaner to suck up any spider you spot – and that’s it!
Method 2: Use of Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most versatile chemicals in our homes. We use it to complete various household chores. Adding to its long list of uses is eradicating spiders in case of an infestation.
Vinegar combines well with water to make a chemical hazard that will leave your house redeemed of spiders, thanks to its strong acetic acid, which is hostile to spiders. In fact, vinegar won’t just kill the bugs; it also acts as a repellant to others – and that wins your future battle before it begins.
But one thing you have to ensure is that you don’t use too much water. A lot of water in the mixture will affect its potency by diluting the acid.
Procedure;
- Mix equal parts of vinegar and water
- Pour the mixture into a spraying bottle
- Spray the mixture to a spiderweb or crawling spider.
Method 3: Use of Insecticides And Pesticides
We use insecticides and aerosol treatments to spray along sideboards, in crevices, and under furniture to kill and eradicate pests. These pesticides create a barrier that keeps spiders away and kills them. That said, this may be an excellent way to get rid of significant spider infestations.
Pesticides contain various chemical components that cause discomfort to insects and spiders. If you spray a pesticide directly on a spider – it will suffocate and die. However, spiders aren’t that dumb. They are sensitive to their environment, and they wouldn’t just walk through where you have already sprayed.
So, the best way is to locate them and spray directly to eliminate them. This method will go a long way to deter other insects and bugs away from your home.
However, do not forget that many insecticides and pesticides include chemicals or poisons that pose significant harm to you, your children, and your pets, so use them with caution and follow all label warnings.
Method 4: Squish The Spider
Squishing a spider is the first thing that comes into your mind when you spot one. For most of us, locating the nearest shoe becomes the next move whenever we see a spider. And yes, it’s reliable, user-friendly, and delivers instant results.
You can as well squeeze one with a tissue. But again, not all people have the guts to stand the sight of a spider, leave alone place a finger on them – It is for the bold-hearted.
But beware – spiders are dangerous and can even go to the extent of biting you. Spider bites effects may be short-lived – but that is not always the case. The black widow and recluse contain life-threatening venom. Therefore, if you go for this method, be careful not to contact the spider with your skin directly.
How Long Does Windex Take To Kill Spiders?
Technically, it takes 1 to 15 minutes for a spider to die when exposed to Windex. You see, for death to happen, spiders first have to absorb an adequate amount of ammonium hydroxide and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate to cause death.
Death can happen as quickly as within a minute, which is almost instantaneous. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes the process can drag and can take up to 15 minutes.
So what causes this big difference?
Well, there are two determining factors here;
- The content level of these two killer ingredients in Windex
- The age of the spider
As for the content level, the more ammonium hydroxide is in Windex, the faster death is likely to occur – and that also applies for sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate.
About the age, baby spiders get the short end of the stick with exposure to Windex. You see, mature spiders are more resistant to chemicals than baby spiders. As such, it’ll take more time for them to succumb to the killer ingredients in Windex.
Is Windex Good For Killing Bugs And Insects?
Yes, Windex is good for killing bugs and insects. You see, as we have mentioned, Windex contains a wide range of chemicals. These chemicals are chronic and hostile to both bugs and insects.
However, Windex is a window and glass cleaner. Though it can eliminate bugs and insects, you should not use it primarily for this purpose. So, in your bid to eliminate bugs and insects in your home, look for commercial insecticides and pesticides as they are manufactured specifically for that reason.
Is Windex Harmful To Pets?
While it can be harmful to pets, Windex is more often fairly safe for your furry friends. The danger part comes in the ammonia and glycol ethers it contains.
Compared to other household cleaners, Windex poses less danger to pets. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t harmful. It is because it has some traces of ammonia and glycol ethers, which we all know to be unsafe for pets.
When inhaled or ingested, ammonia can affect growth, fertility, and respiratory health in pets. And while the ammonia concentration in Windex will likely not cause any of these, it’s always wise to play it safe when it comes to the health of your pet.
On the other hand, glycol ethers can have similar effects to those of ammonia. For instance, it can cause infertility in pets. Other side effects of this compound include birth defects, retard development, early embryonic death, to mention but a few.
So yes, as much as it won’t kill or cause any noticeable effects in your pet, always treat Windex as you would any toxic household chemical.
How To Prevent Spiders From Coming To Your Home?
Come to think of a home where you need not worry about spiders and other insects that cause discomfort? Well, that is what we all want, and we can go all miles and strive to achieve this goal.
And yes, the only way to win any future battle with spiders is to deter them from coming to your home in the first place. Here are some ways that will help you keep these bugs at bay.
Option 1: Frequent Cleaning Of The House
You don’t just clean your home to keep it comfortable. No, cleaning your home has several other benefits, one of which is keeping spiders away.
Unlike humans who enjoy living in a clean environment, spiders find clean space unfavorable for carrying out their mission. That applies to other pests, too.
When cleaning to keep spiders away, one thing you’ll want to do is remove any cobwebs in your house. Frequently check for them at the corners to ensure that you don’t have any in your house.
Spiders aren’t dumb! Whenever they see a cobweb in your space, they know that the place is sustainable for them.
Option 2: Regular Spraying of Insecticides and Pesticides
Controlling their food supply around the house is another technique to preventing infestation in our homes. Since spiders feed on insects, limiting the number of insects in your house will typically cause spiders to disappear. Pesticides and insecticides will help reduce the number of insects.
Final Verdict
Spiders are beneficial in our ecosystem; however, no one wants to share their home with these eight-legged arachnids. And for the record, all they have brought to our house is an uncomparable bother.
So, if you are struggling with spiders, then go ahead and spray Windex! It works for getting rid of spiders just as it does for stains, grease, and grime. Still, there are several other ways to get rid of spiders. It’s up to you to decide what works best for your needs.