Myths and Misconceptions - 5 Truths about Pests

Pests have long been the subject of exaggerated stories and urban legends, leaving many people confused about what’s true and what’s pure fiction when it comes to pests and pest control. While bugs and rodents are creepy and crawly at times, there are a few claims that push the envelope a little too far. Check out my five favorite myths and misconceptions about pests, and start your new year equipped with new knowledge about these creepy crawlies!

Do you eat 8 spiders a year in your sleep?

Thankfully, no! – It’s entirely possible to accidentally eat a bug here or there every year, but eight full spiders is a pretty big stretch. The spiders in your home are hanging out in areas with ample insects for them to prey on, not sneaking up to you at night and crawling into your mouth, of all places. This urban legend has been circulating since 1993, but scientists everywhere agree it’s completely made up.

Does squishing roaches release their babies?

Not always! – Roaches lay their eggs in egg cases called ootheca. While some roaches, like the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, will keep their egg cases close or inside their bodies, thereby giving the illusion of live birth, the common roaches you’ll find around your home lay egg cases. Squishing them will simply squish them (though I would still advocate trying to catch them in a cup to avoid the mess).

Do chiggers burrow under your skin?

They do not! – This is a common myth I grew up hearing, especially when I would go to summer camp. Camp counselors would tell us if we got chiggers, which looked like small, red bumps on our legs, that we should put nail polish on top of the bumps to suffocate the bugs. However, chiggers are never actually in your skin. Instead, they bite your skin and use a digestive enzyme to liquify the skin cells before eating them and moving on. The best way to treat a chigger bite is to wash the area with soap and water and treat the symptoms that follow (like using hydrocortisone if the bite is itchy).

Do earwigs crawl into your ears?

Again, thankfully no! – This superstition comes from Old English and is largely based on earwig biology. The myth claims that earwigs will crawl into your ears at night and lay their eggs in your brain. While earwigs are active at night and do like to hide in dark, moist areas, human ears are not a particularly suitable place for these bugs. There’s nothing for them to eat in our ears, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that earwig incidents like this are not only rare but completely accidental.

Do mice love cheese?

Surprisingly, no!. – Though cartoons have largely led us to believe that mice and cheese are a perfect pair, real-life mice have different preferences. Mice prefer carbohydrate-rich foods such as grains, seeds, crackers, and cereals. This doesn’t mean a mouse won’t eat cheese if it’s presented to them. But when foraging in and around your house, these pests are more likely to look for other foods instead.

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At Mosquito Squad Plus, we understand that the best way to deal with a pest problem is to know the pest itself. That's why Mosquito Squad Plus provides ongoing training and education on pest identification, regional pests, and new and emerging pest problems nationwide. Find a Squad near you today and call to learn more about our extended pest control services and get a free quote for your next treatment. Services vary by location.