Do Cobras Really Enter Basements in Autumn? We Fact-Check the Claim
Advertisements are circulating on social media claiming that insects, mice and snakes begin entering basements with the arrival of autumn. Some of these advertisements specifically mention “cobras” to frighten people.
The advertisements claim that special treatment can protect homes from mice, cockroaches and snakes.
But how accurate are these claims?
First of all, cobras are indeed found in Uzbekistan. The Central Asian cobra (Naja oxiana) is native to parts of the country. However, this does not mean that cobras begin entering basements in large numbers when autumn arrives.
The advertisements provide no specific scientific or official sources to support this claim.
There is another important point. Advertisements often use the term “disinfection.” However, disinfection, disinsection and deratization are different types of treatment.
Disinfection is aimed at eliminating disease-causing microorganisms. Disinsection is used to control insects, such as cockroaches. Deratization is used to control rodents, including mice and rats.
Snakes do not fall into any of these categories.
Therefore, the claim that “one treatment can protect a home from mice, cockroaches and snakes” requires separate evidence and justification.
Another question arises: why does the advertisement specifically mention a “cobra”?
Because the word itself can trigger fear. First, people are presented with a frightening scenario, and then a paid service is offered as a solution. This can be a form of fear-based marketing.
Of course, encountering a venomous snake can be dangerous. However, it is also incorrect to label all snakes as “pests.” Snakes are part of the food chain and play an important role in ecosystems.
That is why, when encountering such advertisements, it is important to check the source of the information first.
Before paying for such a service, you can ask a simple question:
“Is there scientific or official evidence that this service can prevent snakes, particularly cobras, from appearing?”
If there is no clear answer or reliable source, the advertisement may be less about solving a real problem and more about using people’s fear to sell a service.
Fact-check verdict: The claim in the advertisement is misleading.
