this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2025
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Mildly Interesting

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Spider-killing sprays also kill flies, but fly-killing sprays don't kill spiders. (lemmy.world)
submitted 19 hours ago by whitewashersmud@lemmy.world to c/mildlyinteresting@lemmy.world
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They're the same price at Walmart, so it pretty much always makes sense to go with the spider-spray.

The flies don't die 'on-contact' like they do with the fly-specific spray, but they do die after a brief period of delirium.

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[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 8 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

We have black widows, brown recluse, and wolf spiders, but bites are extremely uncommon and actually less dangerous than advertised. Yes, you should see a doctor right away for at least the first two, but it's not worth killing all the house spiders to avoid them.

[–] remon@ani.social 8 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 19 hours ago) (1 children)

Not sure what wolf spiders are doing on that list, they are totally harmless. Also everyone (except people in Antartica) has wolf spiders.

Black widows and brown recluses are medically significant but haven't killed anyone in the US in decades. But do go and see a doctor if you get bitten.

Also check this map to make sure you actually have brown recluses where you live. A lot of spiders are mistaken for them.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 6 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

I only mention them because they can bite, and it hurts. I got bit by one on the foot when it made a home in my shoe, and it felt like a wasp sting. Can't say I blame him, because if a giant foot smashed into my house, I might react the same. But normally if you leave them alone, they leave you alone.

As for the brown recluses, I can't say I've ever seen one, I just heard from an EMT that they are trained for those and black widow bites. I have seen black widows, but I've never personally known of anyone bitten by one.