Bugs by the Yard

Carpenter ants are known as a wood destroying insect, but are they really something to panic over? Listen in to find out. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Carpenter-Ants.pdf https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/household/ants-house/ent-2001/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Join us on our new series about the wonderful world of ants. This week - harvester ants, aka red ants, aka Texas red ants, aka the horned lizards favorite snack! Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Continuing with our interviews of Program Specialists in the Texas Integrated Pest Management Program, we interview Danielle Sekula from the Weslaco area. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

The new world screwworm has been in the news A LOT lately. This episode we're joined by Dr. Sonja Swiger to discuss what you need to know to protect yourselves, companion animals, and livestock. Resources: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Green lacewing larvae are voracious predators and can be very beneficial in helping to manage other insects in the garden and landscape. This episode, we discuss how to identify green lacewings in their various stages and talk about why you want them around. https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/green-lacewing/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Wizzie and Molly interview colleague Stephen Biles of the Texas Midcoast area. Email - biles-sp@tamu.edu Blog/Newsletter - midcoastipm.blogspot.com Pasture Mealybug Information - http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/pasture-mealybug/

Legume crops are beans and peas, but also many wildflower species (think bluebonnets!). Learn the other insects you may find on your legume crops, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating! Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide/01t4x000004OfitAAC Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Texans love to grow crops in the nightshade family - Solanaceous Crops. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Learn what insects typically plague them! Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Squash vine borers can be a major pain for gardeners. There isn't much you can do about them, but here are some suggestions. Mentioned during the podcast, Kaolin Clay: https://youtu.be/ZfmAm74Of6o?si=xBsj35HdAd8KGk8v https://youtu.be/plsFdgvvc8s?si=UYtKXscyxJA4DQU0 https://youtu.be/V_oU5U9rSlU?si=daI8B6XTblqNzzSS Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Cucurbit crops are those veggies in the Cucurbitaceae family, or gourd family. This family includes squash, zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelon, other melons and others. Learn the insects you may find on your cucurbits, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating! Cucurbit insects from Aggie Horticulture https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/problem-solvers/cucurbit-proble...

Cole crops are those veggies in the Brassica family - mustards, cabbage, broccoli, kale, lettuce, cauliflower and others. They are generally grown during cooler weather and can have a number of insect issues. Learn the other insects you may find on your cole crops, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating! Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-v...

Cole crops are those veggies in the Brassica family - mustards, cabbage, broccoli, kale, lettuce, cauliflower and others. They are generally grown during cooler weather and can have a number of insect issues. Learn the common caterpillars you may find on your cole crops, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating!0 Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product...

With our final episode of 2025, we talk about ideas for stocking stuffers for the bug lover in your life. Links below are provided as a springboard for ideas, not as an endorsement for any particular product. Jeweler's loupe https://rb.gy/9ue88a Insect collecting containers https://shorturl.at/GLbro https://shorturl.at/iCSle Craig Tracy Art https://www.craigtracy.com/ Quick Reference Publishing Gu...

Did you ever wonder where insects go in the winter? Or maybe you've wondered if we have a freeze if there will be no insects in the spring. This episode will discuss insect overwintering strategies as well as ways that you can help the insects in your yard. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Insects display an array of sociality - from totally solitary to truly social. This episode dives into the differences in sociality. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Trapdoor spiders are a common, yet little known spider common to areas in Texas. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

It's October and that means we pull out the weird and wonderful- well, more weird than usual?- critters for conversation. This episode is all about whipscorpions, also known as vinegaroons. https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/vinegaroon/ https://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/north-american-vinegaroon-species Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Prepare your home for boxelder bugs....find out what they are, why they may be a problem, and what to do to avoid or get rid of them. https://www-aes.tamu.edu/files/2014/06/Boxelder-Bugs-and-Red-Shouldered-Bugs.pdf https://agrilife.org/urban-ipm/2016/01/25/boxelder-bugs/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Conditions are right for a fall armyworm outbreak this fall. You may be on of the unlucky to see them! Learn what they are what you can do about them. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Yucca moths depend on yucca as for for their young, but yucca also depend on yucca moths for pollination. We'll talk about the mutualistic relationship. https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2011/apr/scout3/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

There are a surprising number of night pollinators. This episode discusses the main moth pollinators that come out at night.

It's the time of year where the lawn may not be looking the best in Texas, often brown patchy spots can appear. This episode we break down what may be some causes of brown patchy turf and what you can do to diagnose and resolve the problem. Proper mowing practices -  https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/mowing-recommendations-for-warmseason-turfgrasses/01t4x000004OUiyAAG Fertilizing -&nbs...

A common question we get is, "what is making those holes in my lawn??" While you may never know, learn what could potentially being making holes in the yard. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Ever notice that certain years or times of the year insects don't seem to be around and wonder "where are all the bugs?". You aren't the only one. Hear a conversation from the hosts on how they answer that question and where all the insects have gone! Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Do you know the difference between a June beetle and a Junebug? Listen in to find out what constitutes a June beetle. Publication on white grubs (includes management) https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/white-grubs-in-texas-turfgrass/01t4x000004OUUZAA4 Bugs by the Yard Turf pests episodes 1 & 2 https://bugs-by-the-yard.captivate.fm/search Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles