Will Wasp Spray Kill A Spider (And Vice Versa)? Truth Revealed

Most people have bug sprays in their houses but typically don’t have a spray meant for spiders. So, will wasp spray kill a spider? Or do you have to buy a special spray for spiders instead? Let’s find out.

There are a lot of different techniques we use to keep away insects indoors. Using a strong spray, essential oils, and sometimes, simply running away as far as we can away from it! 

Now, if you are trying to kill spiders with sprays, there are a few ideas you can use. 

Today, let us tell talk about insecticide sprays and how effective they are in killing common household pests. 

What’s in Wasp Spray?

Most wasp sprays use pyrethroids cypermethrin and imiprothrin, two chemicals that directly affect a wasp’s nervous system. 

Since the chemicals have an impact on their nervous system, these sprays can also kill other insects like roaches and smaller bugs. 

When you spray a wasp killer on the insect, it paralyzes them, and you can see them drop from the air instantly. 

The aerosol form of the spray makes it easier to use anywhere in a house. 

Moreover, the spray also forms a thin layer everywhere you put it, which means it will keep protecting your house from other bugs that might come later.

Difference Between Spiders and Wasps Anatomically

Spiders have an open circulatory system, which means that their vital organs cannot be affected by chemicals directly. 

Wasps, on the other hand, are bugs that are directly affected by sprays. When you spray a wasp with any kind of insect killer, its organs will get damaged, and it will be paralyzed. 

Spiders only try to escape the strong smell of the chemicals. Their long legs help them to maintain distance from any sprays you put on a surface. 

For this reason, it is more difficult to kill a spider with insecticide than other bugs, like wasps. 

Will Wasp Spray Kill Spiders?

Most wasp sprays will work in the same way on spiders – directly by closing out their source of oxygen. They don’t work by affecting the nervous system of the spider.

Arachnids are more resilient than wasps when it comes to their bodies. They are built differently and are affected differently by the chemicals. 

Insecticide sprays have high chemical content that can burn anything if they are sprayed for a long time on any surface. For example, getting it on the skin could mean a lot of damage. 

When you spray it on spiders, it can burn their exoskeleton and slowly harm their vital organs. Moreover, it cuts off their oxygen supply and thus suffocates them. 

However, note that this method of killing a spider will take a long time and would still not do anything for the other spiders in your house.

Can Spiders Hold Their Breath When Sprayed?

Now, we did mention spiders suffocate to death with bug sprays. But there is an interesting fact about arachnids that you should know about. 

Spiders – and most other insects – do not actually breathe, so “holding their breath” is not the correct phrase to use. 

Spiders breathe through diffusion in their tracheal tubes, and they have respiratory organs called ‘book lungs’ that spread air in their circulatory system. 

When they are trying to get away from the bug spray, the spiders are only trying to escape the odor. Moreover, the spray can burn through their exoskeleton.

Spraying enough of the spray stops oxygen from entering their tracheal tubes, eventually causing death. But this will do nothing for other spiders that will come along after that.

Will Ant Roach and Spider Killer Kill Wasps?

Ant, roach, and spider killer sprays are created with similar chemicals as wasp sprays, but since they are not specialized for the job, they will work slowly. 

The active ingredients in roach sprays are Imiprothrin, Cypermethrin, and Tetramethrin, along with the common Prallethrin and Permethrin. 

The last two compounds are the key to killing wasps, so make sure to check the ingredients of the spray you are buying. 

Will Spider Spray Kill Wasps?

Common spider sprays are not appropriate to use on wasps. This is especially important because wasps live in colonies and their nests are very hard to tackle. 

The spider killers containing paralyzing compounds can knock out the wasps but are not likely to kill them. If you happen to spray them, you should be on the lookout that they don’t start flying again. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

Wasp sprays don’t work on spiders, and neither is the reverse true. Both have completely different system of respiration and circulation, and their nervous system is also different.

Wasp spray might kill spiders by directly spraying it, but it usually takes a lot longer and does nothing for other spiders that might be roaming around your house.

If you have a spider in your house, we suggest you get a spray or insecticides designed specifically to kill them. Thank you for reading!

Spider Wasp