Like any of the states south of the Mason-Dixon line, Texas is home to a vast array of critters that can damage gardens, structures and your health. In some cases, control is as easy as maintaining a clean home, securing trash, and keeping debris and woodpiles away from your house. For specific problems you’ll need to consult with a reputable pest control company. The Texas A&M University Cooperative extension has reams of information on identifying and controlling pests on their website, including contact information for local pest control programs in every Texas city and county.
Pests can be grouped into several families. Many insects – like wasps or cockroaches – are found all over the United States, others are specific to the Southwest.
Arachnids.
Spiders and scorpions are a huge class of insects, and most are quite harmless. Make sure all entry points into your home are sealed and caulked, and remove piles of stones, wood and trash on your property wherever possible, since they hide under stones or boards, in piles of rocks or wood and under the bark of trees. When working outside around possible spider habitats, wear gloves, closed shoes and long pants
Texas is home to hundreds of species of scorpions, but only one is poisonous. The bark scorpion is small, light brown, nocturnal and hard to see. The sting is instantly painful and the venom contains a powerful neurotoxin – if you suspect you have been stung, get medical help right away.
Brown recluse spiders are common in Texas and have a well deserved reputation as a dangerous insect. The bite is extremely painful, and can cause severe ulceration, respiratory arrest and sometimes death. Luckily, they are easy to identify. About an inch in diameter, they have long legs, elongated light brown bodies, with a dark violin shaped marking on the front of the body. The webs are large and thicker than those of most other spiders. If you suspect there are brown recluses in your home, it is advisable to hire a professional to eradicate them.
The infamous Black Widow spider is also common in Texas. Only the female is poisonous, and easily identifiable with a shiny black body and distinctive red marking on the abdomen. Her web is usually constructed close to the ground, and is an irregular mass of silk, rather than a classic looking spider web.
Ants.
Texas is home to a number of ant species, both winged and ground dwelling. Most ants are fairly difficult to control, and if there is a serious infestation, it is most effective to call professionals. Insecticides need to be tailored to the specific ant species – what will eradicate leaf cutter ants may be totally ineffective for carpenter ants.
Peculiar to the region, the Texas leaf-cutter ant is harmless to humans, but can defoliate trees and bushes. They do not nest inside structures, but in large underground colonies.
Fire ants are common in the Southwest, and their bites can be very painful, but not usually dangerous. They also nest in the ground, and there are many effective insecticides on the market for eradicating problem nests.
The carpenter ant species found in Texas don’t damage buildings, unlike some of the coastal carpenter ants. Like sugar ants, they can be a nuisance, and because they are classified as a “wood eating” insect, like termites, their presence must be reported in real estate transactions under Texas law. However, they rarely do any damage, though they are difficult to control because the queen must be killed in order for the colony to be eradicated.
Since ant baits and insecticides have to be very specific to the type of ant, the A&M University website will be very helpful in determining which type you’re having a problem with. For small household ants, keep your home clean and kitchen trash secure so as not to attract them into your house. Peppermint oil is a strong ant deterrent – putting drops near entry points in your kitchen will help.
Termites.
Subterranean and “Drywood” termites are the most destructive of the many species, and common throughout the Southwest. Any real estate transaction must, under Texas law, disclose the presence of termites and any reputable home inspection company will include a termite report. Termites look like ants, except they don’t have the pinched thorax or waist. They may or may not be winged.
The presence of termites in a home is a serious problem and best treated by a reputable pest control company who will provide a warranty against future damage.
Bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets.
While these insects can be found all over the US, they are more prevalent in the warmer, drier Southwestern states. Unless an individual is allergic to bee stings, none of these will cause more than a temporary, painful sting.
You’ve probably heard about the “killer bees” however – and these are more common in Texas! To the untrained eye, Africanized bees are indistinguishable from their American cousins. In the 1950s, researchers introduced an African bee species to South America, hoping to find a way to breed them with local bees to increase honey production. The African bees escaped from a research facility in 1957 in Brazil, and have been slowly spreading north. They are much more aggressive in defending their hives, and will attack in great numbers.
All of these insects are beneficial to the environment and generally will not harm anyone unless threatened. Nuisance wasp, hornet and yellow jacket nests can be effectively killed with commercial sprays. If a beehive has been established within your home – in walls or the attic – call your local county extension office. They may know of someone who will remove the hive for free, or can direct you to a pest control company.
Cockroaches.
Most common in Texas is the German cockroach, and they are notoriously difficult to control. Even in the cleanest homes, a single egg casing inadvertently brought in can result in an infestation. The most effective way to control roaches is by using a multi-pronged approach – bait stations, aerosols and pheromone traps, and by keeping a scrupulously clean kitchen.
Grasshoppers, pillbugs and other garden pests.
The key to effective control of garden pests is identifying what you are dealing with. A good garden supply store will be able to direct you to the safest and most effective method. Before undertaking any landscaping or planting, find out which plants are less likely to be attractive to common pests.
In the event of a grasshopper infestation, lightweight mesh can be used to protect edible and valuable plants.
Keeping various winged and crawling insects out of your home is best achieved by caulking and sealing all entry points – around windows, foundation, roof vents and doors. Make sure window screens are in good repair. Do not place woodpiles or debris next to your house. Keep a clean home and use tightly lidded trash cans. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
