Texas bugs and other miscellany

[JudyJB]

OK, the most I have ever done in Texas is drive through and attend the fall 2012 GTG north of San Antonio. And mostly when I have been in Texas, it has been the dry part.

I know about mosquitos and flies because I used to live in Michigan and have spent considerable time in Florida. I even bought one of those whole-head mosquito nets for Florida. I tend to not hike through woods because of ticks and other biting things, and I know to watch out for snakes.

So, what do I need to know about mosquitos and other bugs? If I go to the humid part of the state, say near Galveston in early April, am I going to be eaten alive? Is there a better time of year to go?

[Bethers]

Winter and spring are the best times - the bugs come out with the heat.

[JoanE]

Scorpions. Actually I never saw one but was warned about them.

[Bethers]

Scorpions. Actually I never saw one but was warned about them.

I see all the icky spiders (which fascinate me) in NM and AZ and CA.

[JoanE]

Scorpions. Actually I never saw one but was warned about them.

I see all the icky spiders (which fascinate me) in NM and AZ and CA.

I had a beauty with a web on my windshield and antenna while in NM. Took a photo but haven't researched it yet.

[Olive600]

Judy, I live just north of San Antonio, not far from Canyon Lake. I think the gtg you mention was held there. I'm not a native but just logged my 12th anniversary of arriving. Bugs? Some years there are a lot of mosquitoes, but no more than I've experienced a lot of other places. Yes, there are scorpions in some places but their bite is no worse than a bee or wasp sting. I know that first hand because I stepped on one with bare feet. If you're in scorpion territory, knock out your shoes before you put them on and don't go barefoot. Some areas, like San Antonio, have hornets and termites. I've seen termite swarms, but they don't bite as far as I know. The hornets/wasps will build nests anywhere they can, including in big bushes. I'm real careful about walking into wooded areas. I don't take any special precautions beyond mosquito repellent. Oh! Fire ants! Watch out for fire ants. Believe me, you really want to avoid fire ants.

Hope this helps. If I was going into a swampy area, I'd probably be concerned. I don't think I'd worry about it anywhere in Texas. The natives will know more.
Mosquitoes do love me. It's because I'm so sweet.

Nikki

[retiredhappy]

Am currently in the Texas coast area (Galveston and now Texas City). Had BAD mosquito problem at Galveston Island State Park (they were "Blooming"). Literally had to take dogs out and spray the he!! out of the rig. Speaking of cloth walls, you need to clean with Resolve when you swat mosquitos on the wall.

Fire ants are PAINFUL!!!!

Drove through a butterfly migration around Jourdanton coming to the coast. I feel like a mass murderer and my van NEEDS a bath; badly.

When I first moved to Kerrville, TX I saw the biggest roaches I'd EVER seen. Texans call them "water bugs". THEY ARE ROACHES.

But I wouldn't live in Florida where you may have an alligator in your front yard and can you say REALLY BIG SNAKES. I also would NOT swim in any of the rivers here. If would have a heart attack if I came face-to-face in the water with a water moccasin snake.

[Deeann]

Those bugs that look like roaches really are water bugs. They stink if you squish one of them. They can also fly, so if you swat at one and miss it, be prepared to be under attack. They call them water bugs because they come up out of your drains. They live down there where the water is. I was in the Navy for 5 years and was stationed in Florida. I hate the things. You just can't ever get rid of them. And they are LARGE.

[VickieP]

There is a difference in water bugs and roaches. The large ones that occasionally get in the house is what we call Tree Roaches in Louisiana.