Austin Extermination GuideCentral Texas Pest Ecology

Trying to identify what you found? Start here. These are the pests Austin homeowners most often encounter, with the physical features that separate each one from its common lookalikes. For biology and control, follow the link on each pest's full guide.

Flea

Ctenocephalides felis

Key features

  • Tiny, dark reddish-brown body flattened side to side
  • Powerful hind legs built for jumping, no wings
  • Moves fast through pet fur, carpet, and bedding
  • Bites cluster around ankles and lower legs
Commonly confused with: other small biting insects, but fleas jump, stay close to pets, and leave itchy bites in tight clusters.

Chigger

Trombicula spp. (larval mites)

Key features

  • Larval mites, almost too small to see, often bright red
  • Arachnids, not insects
  • Bite where clothing is snug: ankles, waistline, sock line
  • Common in tall grass and brush during warm months
Commonly confused with: fleas or no-see-ums, but chigger bites ring the edges of tight clothing and the mite is rarely seen on skin.

Striped Bark Scorpion

Centruroides vittatus

Key features

  • Tan to yellow body with two dark stripes down the back
  • Slender pincers and a thin tail
  • Under about three inches long
  • Glows blue-green under a UV light
Commonly confused with: Confused with other scorpions, but the two dark back stripes and slim pincers are the local giveaway.

Subterranean Termite Swarmer

Reticulitermes spp.

Key features

  • Four wings all the same length
  • Straight, bead-like antennae
  • Broad waist with no pinch
  • Swarms in spring, often after rain
Commonly confused with: Most confused with winged ants. Ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist, and front wings longer than the back pair.

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Key features

  • Flat, oval, reddish-brown body
  • About the size of an apple seed when adult
  • No wings, cannot fly or jump
  • Clusters near mattress seams and headboards
Commonly confused with: Confused with young cockroaches and carpet beetles, but bed bugs are flat, wingless, and found around sleeping areas.

Roof Rat

Rattus rattus

Key features

  • Sleek body with a tail longer than the head and body
  • Large ears and pointed nose
  • Strong climber, favors attics and trees
  • Droppings with pointed ends
Commonly confused with: Confused with the Norway rat, which is bulkier with a shorter tail and burrows low rather than climbing.

Mosquito

several species

Key features

  • Narrow body with long legs and a single pair of wings
  • Females bite, drawn to standing water to breed
  • Most active at dawn and dusk for many species
  • Larvae wriggle in still water
Commonly confused with: Confused with crane flies and midges, which are larger or do not bite. Only mosquitoes have the piercing mouthpart.

Tick

several species

Key features

  • Eight legs as an adult, not an insect
  • Flat until engorged, then swollen and gray
  • Latches onto skin, often on pets first
  • Found in tall grass and brushy edges
Commonly confused with: Confused with small beetles or engorged bed bugs, but ticks have eight legs and attach to skin to feed.

References

  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Field Guide to Common Texas Insects and rodent identification resources.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tick and mosquito identification and disease guidance.