Bugs in Austin (Atlanta, San Diego, West: house, scorpions, college)

[2008user]

Hey Austinites,
I am from California, and based on many reports on this forum, I have heard that there are alot of bugs in Austin, especially when they enter people's homes. Is bugs in general a huge problem? I want to go to Austin because of UT A and the city vibes, but the reports of bugs prevent me from wanting to go there?

So, every state has its own bug problem. But out in California, we have never had issues with bugs like things you mentioned: flying cockroaches, fire ants, brown recluse spiders, ear wigs and other insects. There are even reports of people having to go to the hospital because of the insects that bite them. Are bugs that I mentioned true in your area? In my home place, there are of course flies, but not like huge swarms, like in humid places in the US.

If you know the answer, just write it down here and tell me the conditions of the bug situation here.

[Need4Camaro]

I'm from Atlanta and the insect life in Austin is paradise in comparison. Far less mosquitoes and seldomly see roaches. Ants on the other hand... those can be a nuisance but easily dealt with.

I'm guessing in comparison to California there would probably be alot more of them but compared to more humid states in the southeast, alot less of them.

[ATX Wahine]

As a native Californian myself, I’m here to tell you that the variety and quantity of bugs here are no joke. You'll get used to many of them, but things like scorpions will cause you to rethink a couple bad habits, like walking through your house barefoot in the middle of the night, or reaching your hand into tight dark spots that you can’t see.

[WhatTheFox]

Yes, bugs here are a LOT more bigger, scarier and frequently found compared to say the West Coast states or Colorado etc. Texas climate and terrain in general is paradise for bugs and reptiles. What with all the hype surrounding Austin and Texas as best this and best that people tend to forget the real Texas. But if you're a college going kid (per your UT reference) then I'd say these things are minor annoyances at best as opposed to say worrying about a crawling infant or curious toddler i.e.

[centralaustinite]

Anywhere in the southern United States there are bugs! Yes, cockroaches, yes, fire ants and about 3-4 other kinds of ants, brown recluse (common in much of the midwest as well) as well as wolf spiders, and tarantulas, scorpions, etc. I don't mind spiders, and we treat the yard for fire ants and the perimeter of the house for roaches. No issue. Has anyone mentioned the snakes?

[ScoPro]

Then there are the Drag Worms around the UT campus... sometimes referred to as Drag Rats.

Seriously, if you live in the West Campus area you will probably never see a snake, a scorpion, fire ants, etc. Flies know no boundaries, however.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by 2008user

Hey Austinites,
I am from California, and based on many reports on this forum, I have heard that there are alot of bugs in Austin, especially when they enter people's homes. Is bugs in general a huge problem? I want to go to Austin because of UT A and the city vibes, but the reports of bugs prevent me from wanting to go there?

So, every state has its own bug problem. But out in California, we have never had issues with bugs like things you mentioned: flying cockroaches, fire ants, brown recluse spiders, ear wigs and other insects. There are even reports of people having to go to the hospital because of the insects that bite them. Are bugs that I mentioned true in your area? In my home place, there are of course flies, but not like huge swarms, like in humid places in the US.

If you know the answer, just write it down here and tell me the conditions of the bug situation here.

Where in CA do you live you don't have the above because San Diego has all of those. Sans the recluse but we have tons of brown widow. I hate the American Cockroach with a passion.

We have scorpions, centipedes and tarantulas even near the coast.

[CCCyou]

Oh don't forget black-widow spiders, red wasps, and yellow-jackets ....

[riaelise]

there's just about every insect and reptile down here. you'll see a lot of bugs of all sizes.

[Need4Camaro]

The only insects I personally am concerned about here are the scorpions and killer bees. California has killer bees, not sure about scorpions.