There’s a Maltese saying, “Kill the spider and you will destroy the cobweb.”
But what if you don’t want to kill the spider? Rest easy, there's a solution: spider catchers.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- What spider catchers are and how they work
- How to use a spider catcher
- Safety of spider catchers
- The top spider catchers on the market
Spiders can be useful house guests; they capture and kill other creepy crawlies. That said, spiders are creepy crawlies too.
Saved for an entomologist who loves bugs and all things multi-legged, no one likes to see a spider crawling across the kitchen floor or up the wall.
Keep reading to learn about spider catchers, or click here for our #1 top pick.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | My Critter Catcher
|
| View on Amazon |
 | Carson BugView One-Hand Bug Catcher
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Sonic Technology BugBuster
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Ohuhu Bug Catcher Vacuum
|
| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
(updated as of 11/11/2019)
- Reliable and well-reviewed
- No batteries or recharging
- Doesn’t make any noise
My Critter Catcher can be used on hundreds of different creepy crawlies. It has specially designed bristles on it that surround bugs and catch them instead of killing them.
When you see a bug or spider in the house, get this handy tool and pull the trigger. The bristles will spread open. Lower it over spider or bug and release the trigger. The bristles will close around the insect, safely trapping it.
The long handle lets you keep your distance from any house spiders, daddy-long legs, etc, while still capturing them in a hygienic way with no mess.
This critter catcher is eco-friendly, doesn’t require batteries, and doesn’t make any noise.
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Rating: 97.50
Our #1 Ranked For: Ants, Roaches, Spiders, and Rodents Issues
Rating: 97.00
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Rating: 95.70
Our #1 Ranked For: Mosquito Removal, Fleas, Ticks, Wasps, And Other Stinging Insects
Top 4 Best Spider Catchers
Are you short on time or just want a quick answer?
Check out our list below for a summary of our results. Keep on reading to learn more about spider catchers.What Are Spider Catchers?
A spider catcher is a small device designed to capture any arachnid without killing or harming them in any way.
Three main features of all spider catchers are:
- Live capture
- No chemicals
- No repellent
This kind of catcher could be an insect vacuum, operated either manually or electrically, or a bug grabber. Spider catchers also come as manually operated insect traps.
This video offers a crash course in what a manual spider grabber does.
The primary point of a spider catcher is that it’s a non-chemical method of pest control. A secondary point important to note is that spider catchers are not repellents.
Once you catch the spider and take it outside, there is nothing to prevent it from coming back in. (That is, unless you use a spider repellent.)
How Do Spider Catchers Work?
Spider catchers work mechanically or with suction. A vacuum spider catcher will use a gentle suction power to vacuum the spiders into a removable catch tube or basin. The catch tube or basin is then taken outside to be emptied.
A mechanical spider catcher surrounds and/or grabs the spider in a portable, manually operated insect trap or specially designed bristles that won’t harm it.
The earlier video demonstrates how to use a spider catcher. The following video shows you how a spider vacuum works.
Are Spider Catchers Effective?
Yes. If your only pest problem is an occasional bug here and there, spider catchers are a great solution. They only catch spiders (and other pests) on a casual, one-at-a-time basis.
If you have a large infestation, you’ll probably have to revert to a more aggressive form of pest control to get rid of them.
Read more: How much do spider exterminators cost?
How to Use a Spider Catcher
Each spider catcher is different. There are two kinds: The scooper and the vacuum. Videos in earlier parts of this article demonstrate how to use both devices.
Each product is different though, so we’ve included a brief description of how to use them in the product descriptions presented below.
Are Spider Catchers Safe Around My Pets and Children?
Yes. This is where spider catchers really shine. Because they don't use any chemicals, you won’t have to worry about your pets and children being harmed by them.
Well, almost. As long as your kids don’t decide to use them as weapons to hit each other, they’re safe for children.
How Do You Find The Best Spider Catcher?
Spider catchers are still a relatively new innovation. Most people just want the spiders to die and they spray them with pesticides designed to kill them.
Read more: What are the top 5 best spider killers and sprays?
The best spider catchers do what they’re designed for: Non-lethal capture of spiders to remove them from your home.
Normally you would need to buy mechanical spider catchers and vacuum catchers, or read reviews on Amazon or other websites, but we've done that research for you.
After analyzing these products and reviews, we’ve presented you with the best spider catchers currently available.
Best Spider Catchers Reviewed
As a quick recap, here are the four spider catchers we looked at.
Our #1 pick went to My Critter Catcher, but some of the others might be more suited to your needs.
- Works on a multitude of insects
- No batteries or recharging
- 27-inch long handle
My Critter Catcher has specially designed bristles on it that surround bugs and catch them instead of killing them. It’s 100% eco-friendly, doesn’t require batteries, and doesn’t make any noise.
When you see a spider in the house, get this grabber, place it over the spider and pull the trigger. The bristles will spread open. Lower it over spider or bug and release the trigger. The bristles will close around the insect, safely trapping it until you take it outside to be freed.
The long 27-inch handle lets you keep your distance from any house spiders, daddy-long legs, etc., while still capturing them in a hygienic way with no mess.
This bug catcher can be used on spiders, centipedes, cockroaches, grasshoppers, millipedes, scorpions, stink bugs, and hundreds of other creepy crawlies.
Pros
Cons
- Designed for children
- Built-in magnifying glass
- 100% eco-friendly
The Carson BugView One-Hand Bug Catcher is designed to be used by children but can be used just as easily to catch unwanted spiders and bugs.
It has a thumb-operated sliding trap door on the bottom. Place the clear plastic container over the spider, catching it inside it then slide the trap door forward. Once contained, take the critter outside and release it back into the great outdoors.
The top of the container has a built-in 5x magnifier so you can examine your captured bug in detail. It’s perfect for biology classes or keeping little minds busy learning about nature. Hours of fun for the kids!
Pros
Cons
- Gently vacuums spiders
- Battery powered
- Works on other insects
The Sonic Technology Bugbuster is another spider catcher that’s simple and easy to use. It has a long enough extension so you don’t have to get close to the spiders, which is just the way we like it.
It uses a 9-volt battery to create a gentle suction that sucks up spiders and other small critters into the catch tube. Place the tip of the tube over the spider or bug in question, flip the switch, and the suction pulls them into the tube. Cap it and you’re done.
Take the Sonic Technology Bugbuster outside and release them safely. The only downside is that in order to release the live bugs, you need to manually remove the stopper at the end of the tube.
Pros
Cons
- Rechargeable USB
- Includes LED light
- Lightweight and portable
This pest control spider vacuum sucks up spiders and bugs of all kinds, like yellow jackets and other wasps. It even has an LED light on it so you can catch the little pests at night.
A fine mesh screen prevents spiders and larger insects from being sucked into the fan and killed.
Ohuhu Bug Catcher Vacuum is simple to operate. There are two buttons. One turns the vacuum on and off. The other is for the LED light.
Press the IN button and it vacuums up the bugs. Press the other button to turn the LED light on and off.
This cordless spider catcher vacuum is rechargeable through any USB port.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: My Critter Catcher
My Critter Catcher spider catcher scores high among customer reviews by people who liked it. It safely captures spiders and bugs without harming them or creating any kind of a mess.
Some of its top qualities include:
- Reliability and good user reviews
- Works without batteries or recharging
- Doesn’t make any noise
This long-handled gadget is safe and doesn't use harsh chemicals. It allows your to keep your distance from creepy crawlies while capturing them in a hygienic way.
Final Thoughts On Spider Catchers
Spider catchers are an eco-friendly way to remove spiders from your house without using harsh chemicals. If you have some patience and are willing to do a little extra, they can be a worthwhile investment for your pest control strategy.
Other Spider Guides
Curious about other spider-related products? Check out our other detailed guides to help you deal with your pest problems.
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Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.
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Rating: 97.50
Our #1 Ranked For: Ants, Roaches, Spiders, and Rodents Issues
Rating: 97.00
Our #1 Ranked For: Termites, Bed Bugs, and Larger Infestations
Rating: 95.70
Our #1 Ranked For: Mosquito Removal, Fleas, Ticks, Wasps, And Other Stinging Insects