Do Vacuum Cleaners Kill Spiders? (Surprising Answer)
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Spiders often roam around your house to look for food and a nesting place. While most spiders are relatively harmless, many homeowners become terrified of these creepy crawlers. So, how do you get rid of them? If squishing the spiders with your feet seems disgusting to you, vacuuming may be the next best thing.
Do vacuum cleaners kill spiders? Vacuum cleaners can kill spiders. Fragile spiders with soft exoskeletons often die from being vacuumed. Bigger spiders that survive the suction process, however, may die due to suffocation caused by the high dust and dirt density inside the vacuum cleaner.
Nevertheless, there are several important factors that determine a spider’s survival against a vacuum cleaner. In this post, we answer the question: does a vacuum cleaner kill spiders? By the end of this post, you should know what to do with your vacuum cleaner should a spider come crawling around your house.
Does a Vacuum Cleaner Kill Spiders?
Say you have managed to vacuum a spider. You may be wondering if the little critter can survive your powerful vacuum cleaner, right? While we have already determined that vacuum cleaners can easily kill spiders, big or small, let us explore this interesting topic by answering two frequently asked questions:
1. Can Spiders Survive Being Vacuumed?
So, can spiders survive being vacuumed? Most spiders cannot survive being vacuumed. They can die immediately, die from the trauma of being sucked into the vacuum cleaner, or eventually die from thirst. If the vacuum cleaner has a rotating brush, spiders may lose one or several of their legs.
However, whether a spider survives a vacuum cleaner or not depends on two things: the vacuum cleaner type and the spider type. In fact, according to a National Museum of Natural History curator, arachnologists collect spiders with modified leaf blowers, designed to suck rather than blow, to make the spiders’ landings softer.
2. Can Spiders Crawl Out of Vacuums?
Okay, say you are dealing with a bigger and stronger spider with a solid exoskeleton. And you want to suck it into your powerful Dyson vacuum cleaner. Many homeowners wonder whether spiders that survive the vacuuming process can crawl out of the machine or not. Can the spider escape the dusty prison of hell?
Can spiders crawl out of vacuums? It is possible for spiders to crawl out of vacuums if they survive being vacuumed. If the spiders are left alone for a long period of time, they can crawl out if the vacuum bag or canister has holes. After vacuuming a spider, it is best to dispose of the bag and contents immediately.
Spiders vs. Vacuum Cleaners Considerations
When dealing with spiders using a vacuum cleaner, there are two things that can determine the outcome. If you are like many others who back away at the sight of a spider and plan to deal with it by “Hoovering” up the spider, here are the two most important spiders vs. vacuum cleaners considerations.
1. The Spider Type
Smaller and more fragile spiders that lack a hard exoskeleton will easily succumb to the sheer power of any vacuum cleaner. Thankfully, the most common types of house spiders are harmless to humans. So, if you are dealing with tiny, harmless spiders, any vacuum cleaner should do the trick.
However, if you are dealing with a big spider that looks intimidating, you can simply use an extremely potent bug spray (link to Amazon) that kills bugs on contact and keeps killing with residual action for up to 6 months. Do not forget to spray around doorways and windows to keep spiders from crawling back inside.
2. The Vacuum Cleaner Type
A good, old-fashioned bagged vacuum cleaner may work better against spiders.
The type of vacuum cleaner matters when it comes to dealing with spiders. An old-fashioned vacuum cleaner that sucks everything directly into a bag is more effective than one that sucks its contents into a filtered canister. Additionally, a vacuum cleaner with a hose can suck with greater precision and accuracy.
- Bagged vacuum cleaner: A spider will eventually die inside the vacuum cleaner bag. If the bag is full, the density of dirt, dust, and hair is likely to suffocate the spider. A spider will have more difficulty escaping a bagged vacuum, and after a while, it will eventually die from hunger and thirst.
- Bagless vacuum cleaner: A spider has a better chance of survival inside a bagless vacuum. The good news is you can see through the canister and look for the spider. You may often find the spider motionless due to shock after being vacuumed, but this does not mean they are dead.
PRO TIP: Whether you are dealing with creepy spiders or looking to find the best cleaning tool for your house, it is wise to invest in the best upright vacuum cleaner. With so many options to choose from, we have narrowed it down to the ultimate top five lists for you to choose from. Here’s to a greener and cleaner house!
Deal With Spiders Immediately!
After vacuuming a spider with a bagged vacuum cleaner, throw the bag away immediately. By disposing of the vacuum cleaner bag, you are making sure that what is inside the bag stays inside the bag. Replacement bags are very affordable. If the spider somehow manages to escape, it will be in the trash can.
Alternatively, you may also choose to let the little guy free. If you choose to do this, vacuum the spider using a small, handheld vacuum cleaner. Use the lowest power setting. Close the nozzle of the vacuum with a piece of cloth. Simply step outside and let the little guy run free. Rinse the dust cup or canister afterward.
Final Words
And there you go, the complete answer to the question: do vacuum cleaners kill spiders? Remember, the vacuum cleaner type matters when dealing with spiders in your home. At the end of the day, the best course of action is to immediately dispose of the vacuum bag after vacuuming your house.
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