It seems no matter how much you clean and vacuum, these creepy critters always try to make your home theirs.
Traditional methods such as direct contact sprays, or even home remedies like lavender, eucalyptus, etc. may work in the short term to remove these unwanted guests.
Still, if you can’t get to the source of the problem, it will be a constant uphill battle to get rid of them.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the best spider bombs available on the market.
More importantly, we’ll discuss how to effectively use them, along with some of the key considerations involved.
What is a Spider Bomb?
A spider bomb, also known as a spider fogger or bug bomb, are a total release fogger.
Pesticides are released using aerosol propellants to fumigate a vast area such as a basement, apartment, or attic.
Unlike with contact sprays, all the pesticide is released on application to cover the broadest possible area, including nooks and crannies.
Do Bug Bombs for Spiders Work?
When used correctly, the short answer is YES.
As long as you don’t have a severe spider infestation, spider bombs work well.
See Also: How to Get Rid of Black Widow Spiders
What If There Is Heavy Spider Infestation?
If there are too many spiders, you may find it challenging to get rid of them even with bug bombs.
In that case, it’s worth the cost to hire an exterminator.
The professionals will not only remove the current infestation, they can help you set up a longer-term spider control plan.
How to Use Spider Bomb in House
As with any do-it-yourself product, foggers are only effective if used correctly.
However, they can pose a severe risk to your family if misused.
This can include fire or explosion risks as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments.
Before using any total release fogger in your home it is critical that you follow these safety tips and precautions:
#1 – Follow All Directions on the Product Label
To understand the risks and proper usage of the product, you must read all of the sections on the label.
Pesticide manufacturers are required to include important safety and usage information on the product label.
This information will include potential dangers, poison information, warning descriptions, etc.
#2 – Use the Correct Number of Spider Bombs
Pesticide manufacturers test their spider bomb products extensively.
They know the safest and most effective amount of pesticide to use per square foot of target space.
Using more spider bombs than is recommended by the manufacturer is a waste of money.
It also greatly increases the health and safety risks of using these products.
#3 – Remove all Exposed Foodstuffs and Children’s Toys Before Use
Once you set off a spider bomb in your home, the pesticide will fill the room and then eventually settle on all surfaces.
Thus, it’s important to remove anything that could lead to poisoning your family.
Remember, small children tend to put their toys and other objects in their mouths.
You don’t want them consuming any residual insecticides.
Put all exposed foods in the refrigerator or sealed containers to avoid contamination.
#4 – Unplug Any Appliances
The aerosol propellants used in spider bombs are incredibly flammable.
More often than not, people tend to forget the potential dangers this may pose.
A random spark can ignite the fumes in the air causing untold damage to your home and possessions.
To avoid this, always unplug any appliances, air conditioners, TVs, etc. within the room or rooms to be spider bombed.
If you use gas heating, make sure the pilot light is off.
As an additional safety precaution, always try and place the spider bomb at least six feet away from any potential source of a spark to help avoid the propellant’s accidental ignition.
#5 – Vacate the Premises
This may be considered a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many people simply ignore this critical step.
Remaining close to an activated spider bomb is a massive health risk, and exposure to the pesticide must be avoided at all costs.
Simply put, make sure you have a quick and easy exit from the room or house in place before you set off the spider bomb.
Also, using a fogger in your bedroom during the day doesn’t automatically mean you can sleep there that same night.
#6 – Stay Away (Per the Product’s Instructions)
Depending on the brand and product used, you will need to vacate your home or premises for several hours after activating the spider bomb.
Returning home early may pose a health risk as the pesticide has not had a chance to settle and is still in the air.
Instead, plan a date and time to use the spider bomb so you have something to do.
Perhaps go on a dinner date or take the kids to the park.
Just be sure to stay away from the premises for the minimum time indicated on the product label.
#7 – Ventilate the Area Well Before Entering
After waiting the recommended time, cover your face with a mask and open all the windows of your home for a minimum of one hour to ventilate the area properly.
It is recommended that family members not enter the house until after this one-hour period to ensure that any remaining airborne pesticide dissipates.
#8 – Clean Thoroughly
Remember when we said you can’t just sleep in the room the same night?
This is because foggers are a residual pesticide.
As each room becomes safe to enter, you will need to thoroughly wash every surface.
This includes the walls, ceiling, floors, and all furniture.
Be sure to throw all exposed linens in the wash.
Don’t allow any children or pets into a treated room until you’ve finished cleaning it.
Best Spider Bombs
So now that we’ve discussed proper usage, let’s look at a few popular foggers that our team has tested out.
#1 – Raid Concentrated Deep Reach Fogger
- Kills ants, roaches & spiders
- Penetrates into cracks & crevices to kill bugs where they live & breed
- Keeps killing for up 2 months
Raid is one of the most trusted brands on the market when it comes to eliminating pests.
Apart from killing spiders, the raid Deep Reach fogger effectively eliminates all other household pests with ease.
The fog can penetrate deep into cracks, crevices, behind furniture, and other hard-to-reach areas where those pesky spiders like to nest.
One can of raid fogger has enough propellant to treat an entire 25-foot x 25-foot room with an 8-foot ceiling.
We found this product quite easy to use, and it did take out some other creepy crawlies we’d left in the test rooms.
Unfortunately, this is one product where you may wish to air the room out a while longer than recommended.
Trust me, I took off my filter mask right after the timer ran out and it was not pleasant!
According to the manufacturer’s specification, the Raid fogger’s special formula keeps killing spiders for up to two months after use.
While we didn’t get a chance to test this claim, that adds a lot of value to the product, if true.
Pros:
- Penetrates into cracks & crevices
- Effective for up to 2 months
- This fogger has anon staining formula
- Leaves no wet/messy residue after use
- Comes with 3 foggers
Cons:
- Irritating odor (for nose, eyes & throat)
Hot Shot Fogger6
- KILLS ON CONTACT: Hot Shot Fogger With Odor Neutralizer kills on contact and...
- KILLS HIDDEN BUGS: Creates a fine, penetrating mist that reaches deep into...
- WHERE TO USE: Use in enclosed spaces such as apartments, attics, basements,...
The Hot Shot Indoor Pest Control Fogger is known to be one of the best on the market, and it worked quite well during our tests.
This fogger can supposedly eliminate larger infestations, although we only tested it on a few hundred young spiders.
Cracks, crevices, and other hard-to-reach places are not an issue.
Its formula gets in and starts killing quickly.
The Hot Shot also targets several other household pests, letting you to kill both predator and prey.
Just as with the Raid fogger, the Hot Shots formula claims to work for up to two months.
Best of all, it doesn’t suffer from Raid’s odor issues, a win in my books!
Pros:
- Comes with four foggers
- Kills fast on contact with the spiders
- Designed to combat heavy infestations.
- Penetrates all cracks & crevices.
- A single fogger can treat up to 2000 cu. ft. of space.
- Odor-free & no messy residue
Cons:
- Some reports of the fogger not releasing
Harris Indoor Fogger
- Kills a Variety of Insects - Kills roaches, fleas, ticks, mosquitos, spiders &...
- Long Residual - Continues to kill german cockroaches for up to 12 weeks
- Indoor Use - Intended for use in homes and apartments. Reaches deep into cracks...
The Harris Indoor Fogger is surprisingly good, even though they lack the brand recognition of Raid and Hot Shot.
As with most top-rated foggers, this one will not leave any wet or messy residue after use.
Its fine mist penetrates deep into all cracks and crevices to flush out and kill hidden spiders (and many other pests) on contact.
The Harris specialized formula won’t harm upholstery, carpeting, drapes, or any wooden surfaces or tiles.
We verified this claim by using it in some testing rooms normally reserved for DiY remedies only, and it worked pretty well.
Note that we said “pretty well”. In our tests, there were survivors, but not many.
Considering Harris is aiming for a far more mild formula, we think this is a good trade-off for those worried about toxicity.
Pros:
- Kills and repels for up to 12 weeks
- Non-staining and non-messy residue
- Kills on contact
- Kills an array of bugs
- Comes in an economical 3-pack
- You can return after two hours of application.
Cons:
- Doesn’t work quite as well as the top two products
Read Also: 4 Best Gnat Bombs
Final Words
Obviously, there are a lot of other foggers on the market.
Some are aimed specifically at arachnids, while others are more general pesticides.
The three we chose to review are in the latter category, because killing spiders without also killing their food source will just invite more down the road.
Just remember to use all bug bombs responsibly and follow all instructions carefully.
They can be very dangerous and even cause an explosion risk if not taken seriously.
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#4 is so important. Always turn off any gas appliance such as a gas hot water heater. Let’s get those pesky bugs without damaging the house/building.