How Hot Does It Have To Be To Kill Spiders?
WouterThere are many questions about how hot it has to be to kill spiders. This is a question that is a bit difficult to answer because there are so many different varieties. Some species can live under 40 degrees, but others can be found in arctic climates.
The first thing to note is that most species prefer a temperature of around 70 degrees. This is the ideal temperature for most arachnids. However, there are some temperature zone bugs, such as the jumping spider, which are not happy with such temperatures.
Depending on the spider, it may be better to use tepid water instead of boiling water. The heat is not as damaging to a spider as the shock of being doused with it. Aside from that, there are no specifics as to how hot it has to be to kill a spider.
Some have been known to die from shock and others from drowning. There are also some who have been known to explode when splashed with warm water.
If you’re not sure how to do this, you can always use a humane spider catcher. Or you could just flush the dead insect with rubbing alcohol. That way, you’ll be able to re-use it again.
While most arachnids can handle an average temperature of around 42 degrees, some are ectothermic and can bask in the sun while keeping their temperature at a reasonable level. It’s important to keep in mind that while some arachnids are very good at adjusting their body temperature to suit the environment, it doesn’t always work.
