13 Best Spider Catchers 2023 UK
SPIDER season has arrived, so we take a look at the best spider catchers you can buy to help you beat the eight-legged invaders.
According to the Natural History Museum, autumn is mating season for house spiders which is why you’re more likely to see them prowling around your bathroom or hallway at this time of year: don't worry too much they’re not looking for you. They’re looking for love.
So we rounded up the best spider catchers for you to better combat spider mating season from a safe distance.
Many people are terrified of the eight-legged critters. However, house spiders are actually quite beneficial to have around because they catch and eat other smaller household pests, including flies, midges, moths and mosquitoes.
But if you must evict them, please forget the jam jar technique, for it will only lead to broken legs on their side and heartache on yours. Do it quickly, professionally, humanely and with less screaming with one of these specially designed spider catchers. #sayonaraspider
Warning: This article contains images of spiders that may disturb some readers.
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Best spider catchers at a glance:
- Best spider catcher:
- Best spider hoover:
- Best long-handle spider catcher:
- Best value spider catcher:
- Best spider catcher stick:
The Original Spider Catcher
- The Original Spider Catcher, £12.55 from Amazon –
Billed by the manufacturers as 'the world’s friendliest, most innovative way to catch spiders', the Original Spider Catcher is a humane, chemical-free way to get the scuttling, eight-legged critters out of your home.
Just squeeze the trigger to open the bristles and close them gently around the spider, trapping it at a safe distance of 65cm away (the length of the pole) until you can find a good spot to set it free.
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'And release them a good distance from your house,' said Amazon reviewer Matthew, “Because the one I caught was big enough to open the front door and let himself back in!”
Another reviewer was happy enough to have found a 'replacement for [their] ex-husband's primary purpose' so much so that they left a perfect score of 5 stars.
While another who purchased their first one over 10 years ago still believes it is one of 'the best things [they] have ever bought
With such a useful tool and possible replacement, it's no surprise it has an extremely impressive 4.3-star rating over on Amazon.
Arachnophobes, beware: the Original Spider Catcher package contains a giant plastic spider to practice on, so don’t be alarmed when you open it.
Type of catcher: Manual Length: 65cm
Bug Buster Spider Vacuum
- Bug Buster spider vacuum, £14.99 from Amazon –
The Katcha spider catcher goes a step further: it’s like a blue plastic lightsaber with added vacuum power.
Simply aim the end of the 64cm clear plastic tube at the offending spider, and then engage your battery-powered engine to slurp it up, all the while shrieking in terror and delight.
With more than 71% five-star ratings on Amazon, it’s fair to say that most purchasers were delighted with this spider catcher. However, several suggested an improvement for the Katcha Mark II.
'I would gladly pay a bit more for one of these which could blow as well as suck', said Mrs Romanov – apparently, some spiders, once ingested into the spider catcher, get a little too cosy and are tricky to release again.
Type of catcher: Vacuum Length: 64cm
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Pest Stop LED Spider and Insect Vacuum
- Pest Stop LED Spider and Insect Vacuum, £12.99 from Lakeland and Toolstation – or
Lakeland has provided another excellent option for those looking for a no-fuss bug catcher.
It's a humane way to suck up spiders and other unwanted guests without having to get too close or worrying about the insect escaping and crawling up your arm.
Simply press a button to capture your eight-legged foe, and the best part is, if it scurries away into a dark corner or under the bed, this catcher has a built-in LED, so nowhere is safe when you're out on the hunt.
Better yet, if it stops working as intended, Lakeland is offering a three-year guarantee with your purchase, so you can be sure you won't have to replace it every spider season.
Taking a look at what shoppers had to say about their purchase, we're sure it'll be a great addition in your battle against the creepy crawlies as one reviewer calls it a 'brilliant gadget' with another calling it an 'excellent and humane way to remove spiders.'
The popularity of this vacuum does mean that it's currently out of stock, but it is due to return to the online outlet very soon, so remember to gear up.
Type of catcher: Vacuum Length: 43cm
Extended Big Bug Katcha
- Extended Big Bug Katcha, £14.98 from Amazon –
If you feel like the first two spider catchers on our list just aren’t big enough for your home's monster arachnids, then you might be a good candidate for the Extended Big Bug Katcha.
You can use it to scoop up large spiders as well as other critters, including mice, frogs, lizards and anything else the cat drags in.... literally
With an impressive 4.2-star rating, it's no shock one reviewer calls it a 'great little device' and has made them 'so much more confident when seeing spiders in the bedroom', so if spiders send shivers down your spine, the Big Bug Katcha might be the best choice since the eight-legged foe is confined to the box you won't have to worry about it escaping and you going on the hunt again.
This device will help you remove all the uninvited guests in your home as another review claims it's 'great for bugs of all kinds' and it has been very handy with other bugs like flies and moths.
Type of catcher: Manual box catcher Length: 50cm
Plug-in Spider Repeller
- Plug-in spider repeller, £15.99 from Coopers of Stortford –
If you want to go a step further and prevent unwanted creatures from taking up residence in your house in the first place, you might want to try a plug-in ultrasonic spider repeller instead.
This one has excellent reviews on the Coopers of Stortford website, with several past purchasers claiming that they hadn’t seen a single spider since installing one.
The jury’s out on whether ultrasonic pest deterrents actually do make a difference, but if your home is at the leggy end of a spider invasion, though, it’s certainly worth trying one.
Check out more spider-repellent plug-ins below.
Type of catcher: Electronic repellent Dimensions: 9x5x2.95cm
CritterKill Spider Trap
- CritterKill Spider Trap, £13.49 at Amazon –
Don’t fancy getting up close and personal with your eight-legged friends? Then you need a spider trap. This professional sticky tape spider trap uses a non-toxic glue to attract insects into the triangular-shaped trap, but once they're in, there's no way out.
It’s child and pet-friendly and has sticky tabs that can be attached to ceilings, and walls or laid flat along your windowsill, floor or in tricky tight corners of the room. Lay your trap and wait for your guests to arrive. You can check on your new residents through the handy window on the outside of the box, and it’s only £13.49 for a box of thirty traps. It's a safe, convenient alternative that will allow you to catch spiders even when you aren’t home.
The low-effort device has a great rating of 4 stars, with one customer who hates spiders saying they order them every September'. Another left a 5 out of 5 star rating calling them 'effective and cost effective' and is extremely happy that it also catches other insects like 'woodlice, silverfish, spiders, clothes moths and mosquitos too'.
So if you really can't stand the sight of the 8-legged intruders, you may want to consider a trap you don't have to actively use.
Type of catcher: Trap Dimensions: 19.3x6.3cm
Handy Spider Catcher
- Handy Spider Catcher, £8.49 from Amazon –
And here it is, then: the Handy Spider Catcher.
The length of your arm plus the generous metre-long handle on this bad boy will leave you at least a metre and a half away from any invading arachnid while you try to ensnare it.
In fact, you’ll be a veritable Goliath, reaching up onto the ceiling, under furniture and into previously inaccessible corners to rid your home of unwanted visitors.
No longer will you have to fight your intruders close and personal, so if spiders really do give you goosebumps, this device will give you that much-needed space.
With utility like that customers praise the product for its ability to 'remove bees, wasps and spiders with no harm to them' and now they 'wouldn't be without one in the house'.
Another calls it 'brilliant' and highly recommends it for anyone who dislikes picking up spiders wishing 'they'd got one years ago'.
You: one, spider: zero.
Type of catcher: Manual Length: Over 1 metre
Carson HU-10 BugView Bug Catcher
- Carson HU-10 BugView Bug Catcher with Built-in Magnifier, £12.99 at Amazon –
This one-handed bug catcher is for the arachnophile. Capture and release even the fastest creepy crawlies in this container which is operated by a thumb slider allowing you to quickly trap bugs and spiders.
It’s a humane and educational trap that has a built-in magnifier so you can examine the delicate details of your tiny visitors. Simply place the catcher over the bug, slide the button down to trap the spider and slide it back up to release it in the garden.
Shoppers are extremely happy with the superb 4.4-star rated educational spider catcher as one says their 'kids absolutely love it'.
Type of catcher: Manual box trap Dimensions 0.6x2x1.5 Inches
Ultrasonic Spider Repeller - Whole House
- Ultrasonic Spider Repeller - Whole House, £23.98 at eBay -
This ultrasonic spider repeller emits high-pitched sound waves that should send spiders and other critters running for the hills.
The sound is too high a frequency for humans - and most pets - to hear but is thought to be extremely unpleasant for spiders and other creepy crawlies.
Simply plug it in and let the ultrasonic sound waves do their magic, leaving you with peace of mind and a spider-free space.
If you know someone else with a spider issue or simply want to put one in multiple places around the home, they become £20 each when you purchase 3.
Type of catcher: Electronic repellent Dimensions: 9.5cm in width
Pest-Stop Large House Pest Repeller
- Pest-Stop Large House Pest Repeller, £19.95 at Amazon -
Another similar ultrasonic option, this pest repeller emits electromagnetic waves that will repel spiders, insects and even rodents too.
These plug-ins are an easy option for keeping insects and other pests away without disturbing anyone in your household.
Kill two birds with one stone with this purchase. Who wouldn't want a device that targets rodents and spiders alike?
This model has a lot of glowing Amazon reviews such as 'No spiders or any other pest since I bought it ' - sounds like a winner.
Type of catcher: electronic repellent Dimensions: 135.8x134.5x145.7cm
Murpower® Powerful Indoor Plug-in Pest Repeller with Night Light Spider Rodent
- Murpower® Powerful Indoor Plug-in Pest Repeller with Night Light Spider Rodent, £23 at eBay -
The Murpower® Indoor Pest Repeller sends out variable ultrasonic waves at a high frequency that is too high for humans and pets to hear but makes uncomfortable listening for rodents and insects.
As well as repelling spiders, this powerful plug-in will keep rats, mice, bed bugs, fleas, ticks, ants and other crawling insects away from your home
Murpower® claim that pests will be off in 7-10 days, and this is a much more humane and safe pest control method than using chemicals and traps.
With over 400 sold, they're clearly very popular on eBay, so you may want to get yours before they're all gone.
Type of catcher: Plug-in electronic repellent Features: Child safe
Spider Repellent Essential Oil Blend
- Spider Repellent Essential Oil Blend, £3.99 at Nikura -
For a more natural approach to combat spider season, citrus, orange, and peppermint are the best essential oils to repel spiders and mice, and this blend of all three in one oil packs a punch to keep these pests away.
It's suggested that you mix a few drops with water and a little washing-up liquid to help it emulsify in a bottle and then spray it on spider-prone areas such as entry points, windows and dark corners of the room - repeating as required to keep the bugs and rodents outside.
It also has a perfect rating of 5 stars on the site, so don't completely rule out the natural approach when combating nature.
Type of catcher: Oil repellent Size: 10ml-100ml
Bug Away Insect and Spider Catcher
- Bug Away Insect and Spider Catcher, £15.99 at CJ Wildlife –
This humane Spider Catcher is simple to use and can remove unwanted guests from up to 73cm away.
You simply turn the handle to open the container and place it over the bug before turning the handle again to secure the spider in the see-through trap. So you can release the creature outdoors without harming it… or losing sight of it.
It’s ideal for catching and releasing spiders as well as moths, bees, daddy longlegs and butterflies who may have wandered indoors, and since they're in a container, they're safe, unharmed and secure to move around without the lid slipping off.
Type of catcher: Manual box trap Length: 73cm
Where to buy spider catchers in the UK?
There are a lot of spider catchers available on online retailers, but picking the best spider catcher for you is important since some of us are more frightened than others, so require longer reaching spider catchers, and others want to get up close and personal so may want one with a magnifying glass to get a better look at intruders.
Overall it's important to have a look around retailers for the best ones for you, so we put together a quick list to help you get started.
How much do spider catchers cost?
More concerned about how much it'll cost you to be able to fight any pesky intruders during mating season? Don't stress too much, as spider catchers come in a wide variety of prices depending on what kind of tool you're after.
Typically a manual spider catcher won't cost you more than £15, but if you're after a more tech-smart catcher that you plug in or suck up the spiders, you're looking at around £20-£25 on the higher end of the spectrum.
Do spider catchers work?
Is there a way to capture spiders without getting too close? Of course. Forget the shrieking, running and self-made trap; it's time to invest in a purposely designed spider catcher.
Spider catchers can be used to cover an insect in a small portable container or some lightweight bristles to take the insect carefully outside without touching it. It’s an effortless, simple way of capturing these creatures without causing harming them. It's certainly the best method of capturing any stray spiders in your home.
Are spider catchers humane?
Spider catchers are the most humane option to remove insects from your home safely. They don’t contain harsh toxic chemicals or kill the spider with a single spray. Instead, spider catchers are a means to capture the creatures and release them outdoors without coming into close contact with the bugs themselves.
What attracts spiders?
We posed the question to interior expert, Steve Hambletat and here's what he had to say.
1. Avoid eating on your sofa.
"Crumbs and other pieces of food that fall down the cracks of your sofa will attract insects onto it."
"As a result of this, spiders will then be attracted to these insects and you’ll soon find yourself sharing your sofa with creepy crawlies."
"To avoid this, always try to eat at a dining room table if possible, or use a tray."
2. Think about your furniture:
"Wicker is probably the worst choice of furniture for your living room if you don’t get along with spiders."
"They have lots of perfectly protected, dark holes and areas where a spider will live very happily despite your fear of them."
"To help keep spiders off your sofa, try putting sofa covers over them which will stop them from crawling down the cracks or gaps in between cushions and sofa arms."
3. Vacuum the corners of your room and sofa:
"You should vacuum your room and sofa regularly, especially the hard-to-reach corners of your room, underneath your sofa and in the corners of your sofa."
"These often tend to have more dust and can provide spiders with a great hiding place to build their web."
4. Tidy up children’s toys & living room decorations:
"Because spiders like to hide in small holes and sheltered spaces, living rooms full of ornaments, books, and other decorations are the ideal arachnid-friendly environment, so make sure you regularly dust and clean them to avoid this happening."
"Toys left lying around from your kids will also provide spiders the hiding places they wish to call home, so make sure to tidy these up regularly."
5. Sit in the dark:
"Try to avoid turning on the lights in the evenings, and, if you can, sit in the dark."
"Remember, light draws spiders to it. The lights attract insects, attracting spiders into your home to feed on them."
6. Close your windows during the day:
"By keeping your windows closed during the day, you can lower the temperature of your living room by stopping heat from entering." "Open them back up on an evening to allow a cooler breeze in once the sun goes down and the temperature drops."
"Given that spiders prefer warm surroundings, keeping your living room chilly at night will deter them."
7. Use extractor fans cleverly:
"It's a well-known fact that spiders are attracted to heat. However, during hot weather, extractor fans can be put to double use."
"If you have an open plan living room and kitchen, leave your kitchen fans running for a while to rid your home of some of the excess heat."
"Doing this can potentially stop spiders from entering your living room."
What is the best way to get rid of spiders?
Again we asked this question to Steve Hamblett and he said: "Add certain plants beside your sofa: spiders dislike acidic smells and other strong scents. By adding plants such as mint, lemongrass, lavender or eucalyptus to your living room, due to their natural overpowering scents, it will help ward off spiders from your living room."
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Another way you can get rid of spiders is to "Plug-in spider repellents - consider purchasing ultrasonic-based spider repellents. According to theory, spiders find ultrasonic sound uncomfortable, resulting in them leaving the area."
Lastly, you can, "Use essential oils, the best essential oil for preventing spiders is peppermint. Simply combine a few drops of it with some water in a spray bottle, then mist it across your living room, focusing on your sofa. Spiders will leave and avoid the area since they dislike the smell."
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