Common Pests in Texas
18 common pests found across the Lone Star State
Texas's warm climate, high humidity along the Gulf Coast, and vast geographic diversity create ideal conditions for a wide range of pests. From subterranean termites causing billions in structural damage to fire ants colonizing every county in the state, pest pressure in Texas is year-round and region-specific.
Understanding which pests are active in your area — and when they peak — is the first step toward effective control. Below you will find detailed guides on the most common pests in Texas, including identification tips, health risks, treatment options, cost estimates, and prevention strategies. Whether you need general pest control, termite treatment, or wildlife removal, our guides link directly to licensed providers verified through the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) TPCL licensing database.
Texas pest activity follows a seasonal pattern. Spring (March–May) brings termite swarms, fire ant mound activity, and mosquito hatches as temperatures climb. Summer (June–August) is peak season for scorpions in the Hill Country around Austin, wasps nesting under eaves, and flea-and-tick season for pet owners. Fall sees rodents moving indoors as nights cool, while Gulf Coast cities like Houston and Corpus Christi deal with mosquitoes and cockroaches well into November. Even winter brings challenges — South Texas remains active year-round, and Dallas–Fort Worth homeowners often discover rodent infestations during the coldest months.

Termites
Cause billions in property damage annually across Texas
Termite Treatment →

Cockroaches
Thrive in Texas heat, trigger asthma, and spread disease
Pest Control →

Ants & Fire Ants
Found in every Texas county, aggressive stingers
Pest Control →

Mosquitoes
Carry West Nile and Zika, active year-round in South Texas
Pest Control →

Bed Bugs
Spread through travel, hard to eliminate without professionals
Pest Control →

Rodents
Mice and rats seeking shelter, contaminate food and gnaw wiring
Wildlife Removal →

Spiders
Brown recluse and black widow found across Texas
Pest Control →

Scorpions
Common in Hill Country and West Texas, painful stings
Pest Control →

Wasps & Hornets
Aggressive when nests are disturbed, build near homes
Pest Control →

Fleas & Ticks
Affect pets and humans, carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Pest Control →

Snakes
Four venomous species in Texas including rattlesnakes and copperheads
Wildlife Removal →

Brown Recluse Spider
Venomous spider found across Texas, bites cause necrotic wounds
Pest Control →

Palmetto Bugs & Water Bugs
Texas slang for large cockroaches — palmetto bugs, water bugs, and roaches
Pest Control →

Black Widow Spider
Venomous spider with neurotoxic venom, common across Texas
Pest Control →

Possums (Opossums)
Common Texas wildlife — opossums invade attics, garages, and yards
Wildlife Removal →

Squirrels
Attic invaders that chew wiring and insulation across Texas homes
Wildlife Removal →

Raccoons
Nocturnal trash pandas that invade attics, spread rabies and cause property damage
Wildlife Removal →

Fire Ants
Invasive red imported fire ants — aggressive stingers found in every Texas county
Pest Control →