Green Sin Poll: Do you use Raid on spiders?
Or other bugs?
I don’t use it on other bugs, because all that scares me is spiders. In fact, I’m the one who added the ” Use Raid on spiders” category to the poll this month, but since others voted yes, we’ll discuss it a bit. Not much, because I’m sorry, no matter how eco-bad it is, I’m not giving up my Raid. I talked about why here.
People in the comments on the other Raid post had some interesting suggestions including a spider relocation device (OH NO) and a general consensus that one major green sin won’t kill me, so live with it.
I read an article once that said to get over your fear of spiders you should play with pretend spiders, because it’ll lessen the shock when you see one. I don’t think that would work for me. Each Halloween un-eco-friendly folks give my son a ton of those plastic spiders, and I can barely stand to touch them as I’m gathering them to toss. Real or fake; spiders do not live in my house. Period. I don’t even look at pictures of them in books.
I have no real solution. I’ve learned to live with my choice, which I suppose is my solution. I try to live lightly most of the time and I know I can’t do it all. So if you have this sin, or another sin on our poll this month, one that can’t be easily fixed, try not to be too hard on yourself.
Feel free to offer solutions to this sin. Note that if it involves catching live spiders in any way shape or form, it’s not going to work for me. Vacuuming is out too. Do you know they just don’t make the tubes long enough AND what if it got out in the night and came after me…. Yikes.
11 opinions for Green Sin Poll: Do you use Raid on spiders?
Peggy
May 24, 2008 at 12:29 am
Ha! I knew that was you.
I used to use spider traps — little paper houses with glue on bottom.
There’s a myth that chestnuts repel spiders, but I do think it’s a myth.
Karen
May 24, 2008 at 1:39 am
lol You’re so funny!
My husband has worked for two pest control companies and he says the best way to get rid of spiders is to knock down ALL spiderwebs that are around your house. Take down their houses and they’ll build another one or go find somewhere else to live. Don’t make a friendly habitat for them. Thankfully, we’ve never really had a problem with spiders. I could without ants though!
Allison
May 24, 2008 at 2:32 am
I 100% understand. If you would have included a picture of a spider with your post, when it loaded, I probably would have freaked for a second. I. Hate. Spiders.
And I just “Hot Shot”…which is basically like raid. I don’t even like smushing them. There’s no way that I will catch one live and release it or vacuum it or flush it. Nooooo thank you. I stand at a distance and spray it.
Really though, I’m not sure how well Raid works long-term, but Hot Spot works VERY well. So, at least if I spray the porch and windows once, it usually lasts all summer and I don’t have to do it often. I don’t like being so un-green, but when it comes to spiders I’m not compromising. :-p
kisha
May 24, 2008 at 2:59 am
I don’t have any bug spray in my house I just the stuff I use to clean the bathtub (eco-friendly) on them. I can’t stand them, let alone squish them.
Something that also works I’ve found is eucalyptus leaves.
kisha
May 24, 2008 at 3:00 am
I don’t have any bug spray in my house I just the stuff I use to clean the bathtub (eco-friendly) on them. I can’t stand them, let alone squish them.
Something that also works I’ve found is eucalyptus leaves. Oh I also use it on scorpions.
Allison
May 24, 2008 at 3:41 am
I have used hairspray. They get all sticky and stop moving. Or anything you can spray on them. (See above posts.)
I feel the same way as everyone here. This year for some reason we have more waterbugs outside. They are creepy! And bigger than the spiders we get in the house.
You know what else works? A dog or cat. My dog mutilates any bug she can get her paw on. Unfortunately she doesn’t eat them (good protein, ha ha) but I just pull out the vacuum after they are dead.
daniele
May 24, 2008 at 11:52 am
When I was young (and sometimes still today) i used to spray not raid, but hairspray on the offending critters. that seemed to do the trick. also when I was young, I was either told or read somewhere that it was inauspicious to kill spiders - so I tend to not kill them unless they’re particularly big, ugly and venomous looking. Since I live very close to the Missouri River and have a lot of trees and greenspace around, I seem to have loads of spiders and other bugs taking up residence in and on my house - which really tests my non-violence towards spiders stance.
I do, however, encourage the food chain in a way because my dogs and cat LOVE to eat bugs - and if there’s an innocuous bug around I make sure to point it out to them. I really hate Junebugs/Maybeetles but my dogs think they’re particularly crunchy treats!
Peggy
May 24, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Daniele,
My cat loves to play with bugs, but he doesn’t always finish the job and they get away. : )
Julie F
May 25, 2008 at 8:57 am
I’ve tried water and dishsoap. Supposed to kill most bugs.
Not a fan of any bug. No way, no how. Have fun with your Raid-aiming, I won’t be condemning you for it!
Eight
May 27, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Am I the only one who catches them to death? I use old drinking glasses, place them over the spider on the carpet. On gutsy days I’ll take them outside after catching them, others I leave them until they are dried up and certainly dead. Lately, though, I’ve just waved my hellos as we pass in the hallway.
Mandi
Sep 5, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I can completely relate to your spider dilemma. I hate them and couldn’t possibly get close enough to one to relocate it. I have, however, been in situations where I did not have raid handy and have used everything from glass cleaner to air freshener as impromptu bug spray. This was before me greener days, though…so it’s probably just a testament to how toxic standard cleaning products are that this worked. I wonder if green cleaning solutions would work as well?
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