Texas offers wide-open spaces, beautiful rivers, legendary barbecue—and a surprising number of creatures capable of turning an ordinary afternoon into a story you will be telling for years.

In the first episode of our three-part series on Texas pests, we meet the stingers, biters and creepy-crawlies that announce themselves immediately. From the deceptively furry asp caterpillar and aggressive Africanized honey bees to fire ants, red paper wasps, scorpions and the infamous “cow killer,” this episode separates the genuinely dangerous from the merely terrifying-looking.

You’ll learn why an asp should never be touched, what to do if a swarm of bees comes after you, why fire ant bites seem to happen all at once and whether the enormous wasp dive-bombing your head can actually sting you.

We also tackle some of the biggest Texas pest myths, including:

• Why the “red hornet” in your yard probably isn’t a hornet
• Which Texas creature in this series has actually killed people
• Why jumping into water will not save you from attacking bees
• What every Hill Country resident should shake out before putting it on
• Which nightmare-looking insects are mostly harmless
• What you should do during the first 60 seconds after a sting
• The symptoms that mean it is time to seek medical attention

Whether you were born in Texas, recently arrived or are thinking about making the move, consider this your practical—and occasionally unsettling—introduction to the wildlife sharing your yard, porch and occasionally your shoes.

Coming next in the series: the Texas pests whose damage does not show up immediately, followed by the creatures that would rather eat your house than sting you.

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Sharon Hayes — Realtor with Dalton Wade Real Estate Group
A retired U.S. Army combat veteran and certified Military Relocation Professional, Sharon brings discipline, patience and firsthand relocation experience to every transaction. She helps homebuyers, sellers and military families navigate the Central Texas real estate market with confidence.
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Liz Rich — Edge Home Finance NMLS 891464
Mortgage broker Liz Rich helps Central Texas homebuyers understand their financing options and move confidently toward homeownership.
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