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Pests and pest control in Texas

Pests to know in Texas

Why each one matters here is cited in the sections below.

Pests documented in Texas

From public GBIF occurrence records since 1990. A record means a species was documented in Texas, not that it's common near you.

Many public records (911)

Fewer public records (116)

Range named by extension sources (12)

Termites in Texas

  • Texas is home to two major groups of subterranean termites: native species and the Formosan termite.[2]
  • Formosan termites were first found in Texas in 1956 around the Houston Ship Channel in Pasadena, Harris County.[3]

Invasive species reported here

Red imported fire ants infest the eastern two-thirds of Texas.[4]

Pests local experts flag

Striped bark scorpions are climbers, and many reports of them inside Texas homes involve attics.[6]

Public agencies that handle pests

The Texas DSHS Arbovirus Surveillance Program tests mosquitoes to detect arboviruses before human illness develops.[7]

Hiring a licensed company

Texas's pesticide regulatory agency is the Texas Department of Agriculture (Pesticide Programs).[1]

Licensing agency: Texas Department of Agriculture — Pesticide Programs[1].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers insect identification help through county Extension offices.[8]

Local guides in Texas

Through the year

Spring to Summer
In Texas, Formosan termites swarm at night in late May and early June and are drawn to lights.[3]
Spring to Fall
Kissing bugs in Texas are most active in summer, from May through September.[5]

Sources

  1. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. AgriLife Today (Texas A&M AgriLife), “Termites Swarming in Texas.” today.agrilife.org/2006/05/05/termites-swarming-in-texas/ (accessed 2026-10-17)
  3. Texas A&M Urban and Structural Entomology Program, “Formosan Subterranean Termites.” urbanentomology.tamu.edu/urban-pests/termites/formosan/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  4. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (Field Guide to Common Texas Insects), “Red Imported Fire Ant.” web.archive.org/web/20260614192420/texasinsects.tamu.edu/red-imported-fire-ant/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  5. Texas A&M Kissing Bug Program, “Resources - Kissing Bugs & Chagas Disease.” kissingbug.tamu.edu/resources/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  6. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (Field Guide to Common Texas Insects), “Striped Bark Scorpion.” web.archive.org/web/20250117044703/texasinsects.tamu.edu/striped-bark-scorpion/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
  7. Texas Department of State Health Services, “Arbovirus Surveillance Program.” www.dshs.texas.gov/lab/arboIntro.shtm (accessed 2026-10-06)
  8. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, “Insect identification help.” citybugs.tamu.edu/idhelp/ (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-17. Every statement on this page comes from the cited state, federal or university source. Spot an error? Tell us.