Texas shares a 1,254-mile border with Mexico and operates some of the busiest ports of entry in the country, making it one of the most vulnerable states for invasive pest introductions. Climate conditions across the state — from humid Gulf Coast to arid West Texas — allow a wide range of non-native species to establish permanent populations once they arrive. We track confirmed sightings, USDA quarantine zones, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension advisories so you can identify threats early and take action before colonies establish.
Invasive pests cause an estimated $120 billion in annual damage across the U.S., according to USDA APHIS. In Texas specifically, the Rasberry crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) has caused millions in electrical infrastructure damage in the Houston metro area since 2002. The red imported fire ant costs Texas agriculture roughly $1.2 billion per year. Early detection and rapid response are critical — once an invasive species reaches reproductive threshold, eradication becomes exponentially more expensive and often impossible. Our coverage focuses on species with active spread patterns in or toward Texas, backed by data from USDA, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and peer-reviewed entomological research.
6 articles in this category
Texas A&M AgriLife warns that poison hemlock is spreading statewide. Learn how to identify this deadly invasive plant and protect your family and livestock.
USDA APHIS warns that the yellow-legged hornet, an invasive species that devastated European honey bee populations, could threaten Texas pollinators if it establishes in the U.S.
The invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle, responsible for killing hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America, is now spreading into Texas including the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
Invasive Asian needle ants have spread to 20 states including Texas. Learn identification tips, health risks, and prevention strategies for this hidden pest.
USDA confirms Asian needle ants have spread to Texas. Learn identification tips, health risks including anaphylaxis, and prevention strategies for this invasive species.
Texas livestock producers must prepare as New World screwworm moves closer to the U.S.-Mexico border, potentially arriving this summer. Expert guidance from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.