Vinegar is mostly acetic acid. That’s what gives it that sharp, eye-watering smell. Spiders have tiny hairs and sensitive chemoreceptors on their legs and body.
Think of it like this: imagine someone sprayed you with liquid gym socks mixed with sour candy. You’d probably run away too.
But here’s the kicker: spiders don’t “hate” the smell in a human way. They don’t have noses like we do. They taste and smell through their feet and body hairs.
Vinegar is an irritant. It burns or overwhelms those sensors. It’s like a sensory overload alarm system. Fun fact: that’s why it also kills ants and other bugs on direct contact.
