Austin’s warm climate means plenty of bugs thrive year-round. Homeowners often encounter a variety of insects and arthropods inside their households as well as outdoors. This guide covers some of the most common house bugs Austin residents are likely to see at some point.
Cockroaches
Several cockroach species find their way into Texas homes. Here’s how to identify them:
German Cockroaches
- Small, about 1/2 to 1 inch long
- Tan body with two dark brown stripes on the pronotum behind the head
- Live in kitchens and bathrooms. Thrive in moist, warm spaces.
- Leave small, dark droppings in hiding places like cracks and crevices
- Most active at night
American Cockroaches
- Largest roach species in Texas, up to 2 inches long
- Reddish brown with a yellow band around the pronotum
- Wings cover the entire abdomen
- Commonly enter structures through sewers and drains
Oriental Cockroaches
- About 1 to 1 1⁄4 inches in length
- Dark brown to black in color
- Wingless, unable to fly
- Foul odor emitted when crushed
- Found in moist, dark basements, crawl spaces and outdoors
Brown-Banded Cockroaches
- 5/8 inch long
- Tan wings with faint brown bands across the base of the wings and abdomen
- Prefer dry or drier conditions than German cockroaches
- Often infest upper levels of homes
Ants
Many ant species can invade Texas households. Some common ones include:
- Pavement ants – Black or reddish brown, nest outdoors but forage indoors. Travel along structural edges.
- Odorous house ants – Medium brown ants with a foul, rotten coconut odor when crushed. Invade kitchens.
- Fire ants – Bright reddish ants with a painful sting. Enter potted plants or under doorways from outdoor mounds.
- Pharaoh ants – Tiny yellow or light brown ants only 1/16 inch long. Thrive in moist, warm indoor spaces.
- Argentine ants – Light to dark brown ants that trail closely together. Love sweets and meats in kitchen.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs get their name from the foul defensive odor they release. In Austin, common types include:
- Brown marmorated stink bugs – Marbled brown bugs that mass together during winter. Emit a harsh smell.
- Kudzu bugs – Smaller green bugs that cluster on homes in fall. Smell like cilantro.
- Conchuela stink bugs – Pink and black pointed bugs on ornamental plants. Sweet berry scent.
House Spiders
Many spider varieties live around Austin buildings:
- Wolf spiders – Swift ground spiders with camouflage patterns. Won’t build webs.
- Jumping spiders – Small, compact spiders that pounce up to 10 times their size. Harmless to humans.
- Parson spiders – Brown spiders up to 1/2 inch big with violin-like markings. Venom mild.
- Cellar spiders – Daddy longlegs with long legs and small bodies. Eat other pests.
Occasional Invaders
Seasonal and occasional invaders include:
- Ladybugs – enter in fall seeking warmth but don’t infest or breed inside. Vacuum up gently.
- Carpet beetles – Feed on fabric fibers and carpeting. Cause property damage but don’t bite.
- Crickets – Follow food sources like pet food into garages and basements. Male crickets chirp.
- Centipedes and millipedes – Long-legged centipedes prey on other bugs. Millipedes curl up when disturbed. Neither bites humans.
- Pillbugs and sowbugs – Curl into little balls for protection. Harmless decomposers of decaying organic matter.
Got Bugs? Call Texas Bug Control!
If any indoor home invaders have put you on edge, contact Texas Bug Control today! Our expert exterminators can:
- Identify any mystery bugs troubling your home
- Provide thorough, effective removal of pests
- Treat infestations at the source – inside walls, under appliances, in vents, etc.
- Apply perimeter treatments to keep bugs from re-entering
- Ensure your home stays bug-free between services
Don’t tolerate pests sharing your living space! Contact our friendly, knowledgeable team for customized bug elimination in Austin.