I Saw it on the Internet! (AKA: Say what?)

I get a kick out of some of the stuff I see on social media. One of my favorites is the ultrasonic pest-repelling device. Even better, they have different sizes or models for different pests. Um… no. There can be a lot of misinformation out there. Since it’s April Fool’s Day tomorrow, let’s look at some of the “pranks” that are out there. Whether you are looking into pest control and come across these, or a pro that needs to answer questions about them, it’s important to know the reality.

Let’s debunk a few of the industry’s most famous (and frustrating) pranks.

The "Deadly Banana Spider" Scare

Every so often, a photo goes viral of a large spider found in a bunch of bananas (or some other produce). The caption usually screams that it’s a "Brazilian Wandering Spider" and that the store has been evacuated. Oh, and it’s some version of deadly if it were to bite.

The Reality: While it’s possible for a spider to hitch a ride in cargo, 99% of the time, it’s a harmless pantropical huntsman. They look big and scary, but they aren't the "murderess" spiders the internet wants them to be.

The Troubleshooter’s Take: It’s part of IPM – identify the pest. A correct identification gets us to where a pest can be found, what it may feed on, and its biology. That way, we can hone in and find the issue and deal with it quickly. It’s like confusing a termite and an ant. Two very different pests that need different treatments in different areas.

The "Blue-Finned" Mosquito Hoax

This one resurfaces nearly every spring. A photo of a brightly colored, neon-blue mosquito circulates with a warning that it’s a "newly discovered" species that carries a "super-virus" immune to all pesticides.

The Reality: It’s usually just a beautiful (and very real) Sabethes mosquito, which is native to Central and South America and is notoriously difficult to find, let alone have it "invade" your local park.

The Troubleshooter’s Take: Mosquitoes are a very real danger due to the diseases they can transmit. Fearmongering is not the way to get people to take action. Put the facts out there (or look at reputable sources), and provide some science-backed solutions.

The "Infested" Product Recall Scam

This is a relatively new one for me. We’ve all probably seen the pictures of a mouse in a loaf of bread or a cockroach in a soda can. Now, I’ve started to see a rise in fake "recall notices" sent via text or email, claiming a product you bought is infested with rare beetles or mites. They often include a link to "claim your refund."

The Reality: It’s a phishing scam. They are using the fear of pests to get you to click a link. Unfortunately, some people want to get something free and are willing to bring a pet rat to their hotel room and claim it’s a pest issue. (Points for creative thinking, though.)

The Troubleshooter’s Take: If there is a real pest-related recall, it will be on recalls.gov or the company’s official website. Some images you see will be posed, while others will be AI. If you get one of these emails or “click here” pop-ups, open a separate window and go to that page.

Here is what really bugs me (pun intended): These pranks aren't harmless. When people get bombarded with fake "killer spider" stories, they want to “kill them all”. They run to the store to get DIY products and overapply, hurting the environment. They don’t want to trust the pros when they say a treatment isn’t necessary or an insect merely wandered in from outside. This makes it hard for us pros to educate and provide a good service.

The Bottom Line: Don't be the "April Fool" who falls into these traps. Make sure your company has good training programs and someone to help troubleshoot when these things come up. (Like me!)

Lagniappe – fast facts:

• No, mothballs don’t work on rodents.

• Ultrasonic devices are worthless.

• Mosquito bracelets won’t protect you.

• Irish Spring soap isn't going to help.