Orkin vs. ChatGPT: Debunking Online Pest Myths

Editor’s notes: Pests are often misunderstood creatures for a multitude of reasons whether it be a lack of knowledge, fear and sensationalism, and their economic and social impact, just to name a few. In today’s world it’s easy to head to Google or other resources such as ChatGPT to find out more about these creepy crawlies, but just how accurate is the information? Orkinrecently put modern AI to the test, by seeing how ChatGPT responded to common pest myths in comparison to how the team of Orkin entomologists weighed in on those same myths.

Myth #1: Bugs are dirty or unsanitary.

ChatGPT: Bugs are often associated with unclean environments, but this is not always the case. While certain bugs like cockroaches can be found in unsanitary conditions, many bugs are simply attracted to sources of food and moisture and can be found in clean environments as well.

Orkin Entomologist: There are millions of species of insects, and of those some can certainly be dirty. Some can indirectly move pathogens on the outside of their body, like German cockroaches or pharaoh ants, while others like house flies that can transport bacteria on their legs and in their salvia. It is true that sanitation can play a huge role in insect management, and others can show up in clean areas simply by accident or by being attracted to lights.

Myth #2: Insects are short-lived.

ChatGPT: While some insects have relatively short lifespans, others can live for several months or even years. Some insects, like certain species of mayflies, have adult lifespans that last only a few hours, while others, like queen ants, can live for decades.

Orkin Entomologist: It is true that some insects like house flies and gnats have short lifespans (a few hours-30 days), while others – bed bugs, cockroaches and termites – can live as long as a few months to decades. Some species of periodic cicadas can live as nymphs for 13 or 17 years underground before emerging as adults.

Myth #3: Mosquitoes breed only in stagnant water.

ChatGPT: Stagnant water is indeed a common breeding ground for many mosquito species, but it is not the sole requirement for mosquito reproduction. Some mosquito species can breed in a variety of water sources, including running water, tree cavities, or artificial containers. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs near water sources, and the larvae develop in water until they reach the pupal stage.

Orkin Entomologist: It is correct that mosquitoes often lay eggs in standing pools of water, both natural and man-made sources such as bird baths, buckets and gutters. Water provides mosquitoes with a place to lay eggs, grow and develop through their water stages (egg, larval and pupal). After the airborne portion of their life cycle, females return to water to lay a new batch of fertile eggs. Female mosquitoes usually lay their eggs on the surface of water or in areas where water can rise, flood the eggs, and stimulate them to hatch. However, the pupal stage is also aquatic. While some species can survive in running water, most need calm water as both the larval stage and pupal stage as they both breathe air through siphons that must penetrate and stay above the water for them to breathe.

Myth #4: Rodents will chew through anything, including concrete and metal.

ChatGPT: While rodents have strong teeth and can gnaw through many materials, such as wood and plastic, they cannot chew through concrete or metal. Their teeth are designed for gnawing on softer materials to maintain their dental health. Concrete and metal are typically too hard for them to penetrate. 

Orkin Entomologist: Actually, it depends on the metal! Rats and mice can sometimes chew through aluminum depending on the gauge, even copper piping. They do have extremely durable teeth and can chew through wood, plastic, soft vinyl, rubber, older mortar, and fiberglass-based screening.