Bugs by the Yard

Did you know that we have similar ants to Acacia ants in Texas? Listen in to learn about twig ants. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Continuing with our interviews of Extension Entomologists & Program Specialists in the Texas Integrated Pest Management Program, we interview Dr. Robert Puckett from the College Station area. https://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/robert-puckett/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

This episode will have you smashing and smelling ants! Listen in to learn why :) Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

You've probably seen them "roving" around...rover ants! These tiny ants are some of the cutest you can find in Texas and are the only ants here that have 9 segmented antennae. https://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/urban-pests/ants/rover/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Meet Monica Siwiak of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Apiculture Program! Monica is in the Fort Bend area and a honey sensory expert. Questions for Monica? Reach her at monica.siwiak@ag.tamu.edu Honey 101 Course - https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=885637&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1den5eqi6s9w9&fbclid=IwY2xjawToUORwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMURWVXN4c0Q4c09Ta...

Continuing with our ant series, this episode covers a native cutie, big-headed ants. Guess what their distinguishing feature is! https://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/urban-pests/ants/big_headed/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

Continuing with our interviews of Extension Entomologists & Program Specialists in the Texas Integrated Pest Management Program, we interview Dr. Rafia Khan from the Overton area. https://entomology.tamu.edu/people/khan-rafia/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

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