Here’s the deal. Apple cider vinegar can kill a spider, but it’s not the heroic exterminator you’re hoping for. Think of it more like a water gun than a flamethrower. It works best if you directly spray the spider with a concentrated solution. The acetic acid in the vinegar is what does the dirty work—it messes with the spider’s exoskeleton and basically suffocates or dehydrates it. Sounds brutal, right? It is.
But here’s the catch: if the spider is a fast little ninja (and they usually are), it can dodge the spray. And even if you nail it, it might take a few minutes of writhing before it gives up the ghost. Not exactly a clean, dignified exit. Plus, ACV is not a deterrent. Spraying it on your window sills won’t build a force field. Spiders can smell it, sure, but they don’t see it as a reason to pack their tiny bags and leave. They’ll just crawl over it.
