If spiders are a problem for you, a reliable spider repellent is something perhaps for you to consider. What follows is an introduction to the concept of spider repellent and how it can help.

Most people generally do not enjoy the presence of spiders in their homes let alone the idea of having them crawl over the furniture, walls and ceilings and in their kitchen cupboards. Not only are spiders a pest in the home, some can also bite causing pain, infection and much worse the toxin of some spiders can be extremely dangerous: all significant reasons to invest in a spider repellent.

Most spiders simply like to crawl around the house or hang out on the patio, but there are a couple of North American spiders that can actually cause an individual to become seriously ill.

Spider Repellent For Poisonous Spiders

Brown recluse spiders are an uncommonly seen breed of spider… but they do exist and can be encountered. They like to congregate in woodpiles or basements and their bite can cause serious problems… especially local reactions. A bite from a brown recluse spider looks similar to a mosquito bite. If you see that a bite is painful or begins to look infected, you may want to have it checked out since it’s probably a spider bite.

The black widow spider is also rare but if bitten an individual could develop nausea, vomiting and major stomach pain. If after being bitten, you experience any of these symptoms, you should definitely visit a doctor or emergency department. It may help the doctor to identify your problem if you bring the spider responsible for the bite to them.

Spider Repellent and DEET

When thinking about particular spiders, repellents which contain DEET are often recommended. Spiders tend to be attracted to an individual’s skin odor or the carbon dioxide in their breath. Spider repellents containing DEET confuse the spider’s smell sensors and this confusion prevents the spiders from landing and biting. In order to be effective these spider repellents should be used at short distances.

If you are looking for an effective spider repellent, synthetic repellents which contain DEET (dimethyl phthalate) appear to be the most widely used and effective… but when buying a spider repellent such as this, it is imperative to find out about their suitability if you have children. Children’s requirements for spider repellents containing DEET vary according to age.

There are a couple of natural spider repellents which seem to be effective against spiders and are safe for children. These spider repellents include citronella and lemon eucalyptus. However, these spider repellents only offer protection for a short time when spiders and insects tend to be irritating.

Insecticide As Spider Repellent

Some people buy spider repellents in the form of insecticides. Insecticides containing an ingredient called permethrin, are generally safe to use around children. To use such insecticides as spider repellent, the insecticide should sprayed on clothing, bedding, tents, sleeping bags, etc. but not directly onto an individual’s skin. Using insecticide as a spider repellent can offer protection for weeks or months and will remain effective even when the items are washed. Permethrin is also recommended in areas where there is a risk of insect-borne disease.

When looking for a spider repellent, you should consider who you need if for, where it will be used and which spider repellent you are most comfortable using. It is also extremely important to carefully read the list of ingredients when buying to ensure it contains effective ingredients and at the same time doesn’t affect any allergies that you might have.

For details about specific spider repellent products check out some of our reviews pages.