Using Star San as Insect Killer

[troxerX]

I know this is not a homebrewing topic but I just noticed that insects die almost instantly on contact with Star San. I had plenty of Star San in spray bottles that I normally use for brewing and one day by accident (curiosity mostly) sprayed a bunch of spiders in the back patio and they all died almost instantly. Not sure what’s the mechanism of action other than the phosphoric acid reacting with the insects outer shells?, whatever it is it works better than a professional grade pesticide and probably safer although now I question using it for making beer LOL..

 

[marc1]

My guess is the surfactant gets it into their book lungs and interferes with the breathing.
Dish detergent solutions work well for bugs, too.

 

[DBhomebrew]

Leave the poor spiders alone. They eat less desirables.

 

[uweschmitt]

Leave the poor spiders alone. They eat less desirables.

I had a spider over winter, called him Johnny, had no flies or other other insects around during this time. He left in spring without saying goodbye.

 

[DrKnow]

Star San also works great at killing spotted lantern flies (if you happen to live in a part of the US that is infested with them).

 

[troxerX]

Star San also works great at killing spotted lantern flies (if you happen to live in a part of the US that is infested with them).

Yeap, I sprayed one today, that’s what reminded me to post about this topic

 

[FloppyKnockers]

 

[hottpeper13]

I stop dusting for spiders in July and by the end of October the house is decorated for Halloween for free!