It’s spider season Down Under, where all creepy crawlies try to escape the heat and thrive in the humidity of our homes.
While sharing our houses with them isn’t ideal, it’s true that they rarely mean us any harm. Despite how scary some of us find them, there’s no need to kill them on first sight – in fact, there are many humane ways to take them out of our living rooms and back to the garden.
We’ve collected some of our favourite methods for catching spiders and other unwelcome bugs below, so you can kick them outside where they belong.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
My Critter Catcher Spider and Insect Catcher
Affordable, convenient, and perfect for keeping spiders at arm’s length, we’re wondering why we weren’t aware of this catcher sooner. With a patented design that keeps both you and the bug safe, you’ll be able to pick it up with no direct contact, and move it safely away. With soft bristles that surround the bug, you simply pull the trigger mechanism to secure it, and drop it outside, while keeping almost 70cm away at all times.
Handheld Bug Catcher Vacuum
While similar to the catcher, this device employs a vacuuming technique to suck the bug inside, making it east to transport and release. Made of safe and durable material, with a built-in motor and fan, it generates strong suction to lift the bugs up without squeezing or harming them. It also has a built-in LED light, so you can see the bugs you might need to catch at night, or in darker, covered corners.
Eco-Friendly Handheld Catcher
This German-made catcher offers another option for collecting the bug while you stay well away from it. The catcher features a small, thin, plastic gate that can be opened and closed with the operation of a thumb lever. Simply place the opened hatch over the bug or spider, and close the door to sweep them inside.
Jahy2Tech Bug Vacuum Catcher
If you’re after something quick and efficient, this vacuum catcher will have your home bug-free in moments. Specifically designed to catch small insects like spiders, cockroaches, bedbugs, moths and ants. The suction inlet is 2.5cm long, and 0.8cm wide, so there’s no room for them to wriggle away. With high speed to drive the suction, it quickly forms a vacuum vortex that sweeps the insects away.
Sticky Traps 40 Sheets
If you’re looking to trap something slightly smaller, sticky traps might do the trick. Designed mostly for flies and smaller insects, which spiders are usually chasing, they’re effective at keeping your home free of buzzing, annoying bugs. Studies have shown that mosquitoes are attracted to bright colours, so this yellow hue will have them arriving in droves, and sticking to the strong, adhesive exterior of the sheet.
NATURAL OUST Peppermint Oil Spider Repellent Spray
While bug sprays are effective at repelling spiders and other crawlers, you can always opt for a natural solution to repel them. This spider repellent spray is made up of fragrant peppermint oil, meaning you won’t be bothered by a chemical smell, either. It’s guaranteed safe for kids and pets, too, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Mortein Powergard Crawling Insect Surface Spray
If you’ve identified where the spiders are coming from, you might need something stronger to deter them from entering your house. This spray from Mortein is designed to create an outdoor barrier, protecting the home for up to nine months. It’s recommended that you spray on non-porous surfaces around the house perimeter, taking special note of eaves, foundations, window frames, downpipes, and guttering, in order to create the barrier required to protect the house and those inside it.
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