Introduction • Fleas • Other biting insects and mites • Spiders • Mosquitoes • Other Outdoor pests

Introduction

Few things are as memorable as receiving a sharp bite or sting from an insect, spider, or other venomous arthropod.  In fact, that’s the point!  Arthropod venom is nature’s way of leaving a memorable impression on the target, including you.

Most arthropod venoms are painful to some degree.  The black widow spider may have the potentially most toxic venom of any arthropod in Texas, but fleas, mosquitoes and (increasingly) bed bugs afflict more people on a regular basis.  In addition, some biting insect, like ticks and mosquitoes, lack venom but can transmit disease.  Hypersensitive reactions to stings or bites are probably a more important cause of human illness than the toxicity of venoms alone.  In hypersensitive or allergic persons, the body’s immune system can provoke an irritating, medically serious, or even fatal reaction to a minor sting or bite.  In addition, some arthropod bites can be a means of introducing an infectious pathogen.  West Nile virus transmitted by mosquitoes, murine typhus spread by fleas, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever transmitted by ticks are examples.

Knowing something about the biology and control methods for these pests can reduce your risk of bites, stings, infections and allergic reactions.  The following F@ctsheets provide information on a variety of stinging and biting pests that we commonly encounter in Texas.

Fleas

• Safer flea control (ENT-3001) – Options for controlling fleas safely and effectively on your pets.
• Controlling fleas (E-433)  – Color guide to flea biology and control.

Spiders

• Brown recluse spiders (ENT-3003) – How to manage one of the most feared spider pests.
• Spiders (E-408) This publication describes common Texas spiders–both the good and the bad. Learn how to help prevent spiders from entering the home and how to handle those that do, with tips for professionals.

Other Biting Insects and other Arthropods

• Bedbugs – See our bed bug page
• Biting mites (ENT-3009) – Rodents and birds nesting in homes can bring tiny biting mites along.
• Conenose bugs (ENT-3008) – Secretive insects that feed at night on the blood of wild rodents, pets and even people.  These insects also transmit a protozoan disease called Chagas’ disease which is explained in this video.
• Diagnosing mysterious bug bites (ENT-3006) – What to do when you think you’re being bitten, but can’t find the biter?
• Head lice (L-1315) – Did you know the name for being infested with head lice is pediculosis?  Common among school-age children and often a difficult problem to resolve, this fact sheet will help.  Also see information on lice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Texas’ Department of State Health Service guidelines for head louse treatment in classrooms.
• Ticks – Ticks a concern?  Check out our Tick App for information about tick biology, the different species of ticks, how to control, prevent bites and remove them.

Mosquitoes

Other Outdoor Biting and Stinging Pests

• Asps and other stinging caterpillars (ENT-3010) – Special hairs on the bodies of some caterpillars can cause a painful sting.
• Chiggers (E-365) One of the most irritating bites you can get comes from one of the tiniest of outdoor pests.  Suspect chiggers when you get bites around your ankles, waist and areas of tight-fitting clothing.
• Scorpions (E-362) Scorpions are common in most of Texas. Their stinging behavior is unpredictable and individual reactions to stings may vary. This publication describes the life cycle, behavior and control of scorpions.
• Velvet ants (ENT-3004) The ant that’s not an ant.
• Wheelbugs and assassin bugs  (ENT-1003) Although these insects are beneficial in the garden, they can also give a painful bite.