Unwanted Guests

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Learn about insects you may find in and around Texas homes. Learn about insects that occur in and around urban structures of Texas; whether they be pests, beneficials, or simply fascinating! This podcast is presented by Molly Keck, Wizzie Brown, Robert Puckett, and Janet Hurley through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M Department of Entomology. Unwanted Guests image produced by Natalie Cervantes. Intro and outro music produced by Owen DesBles.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension


    • May 17, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 36 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Unwanted Guests

    What to do about house sparrows

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 30:13


    While house sparrows are totally adorable, they can sometimes take up residence around the home in a very inconvenient location. Listen to find out what you can do to avoid this from happening.**Just a quick note that this is the last episode of Unwanted Guests. If you want more information about insects, subscribe to the podcast Bugs by the Yard.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

    Things to know before buying and using pesticides

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2023 26:05


    It can be overwhelming trying to choose a pesticide. This episode covers things to consider before buying a pesticide as well as considerations for using pesticides.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

    Common Pests in the Spring Veggie Garden

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 38:49


    Planting a spring vegetable garden? Learn who we think are the top pests of those spring plants and what we recommend to do to treat them.

    Clothes moths or pantry moths

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2023 28:14


    There are various stored product moths that can invade homes. In this episode we talk about how to figure out what type of moth you have and what to do about them.https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/Indianmeal moth https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/insects/indian-meal-moth/Pantry & fabric pests https://ipmhouse.tamu.edu/files/2021/03/stored-product-pests.pdfLogo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

    Pest predictions for 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2023 29:38


    Tune in to discover what we are guessing (note I said guess) may be problematic in 2023.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

    Holiday home invaders

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2022 27:01


    The holidays are in full swing and we want to prepare you for possible unwanted guests (not the in-laws).Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

    Hackberry psyllids or those little bugs in the windowsill

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2022 24:02


    Hackberry psyllids can become a nuisance in the fall as they may move indoors. Their small size allows them to enter around doors and windows, so they may pile up on windowsills.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles

    logo bugs windowsill hackberry
    Meet our newest team member!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2022 24:45


    The Unwanted Guest team is really excited because we have a new member who will be helping us out with the podcast and answering questions, identifying insects, and providing trainings in the Dallas area. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Rover ants

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2022 24:49


    Rover ants are those tiny little black ants that you may discover in your kitchen or bathroom, a potted plant, or other areas near your home. Listen in to find out what to do when you find these gals. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Ways to protect yourself from mosquitoes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2022 29:53


    This episode we'll discuss a variety options that can help to manage mosquitoes around your home. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Sounds of summer- insect communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 24:46


    Learn about insects that use sound to communicate. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Carpenter ants

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2022 24:23


    Carpenter ants are some of the largest ants that can be found in Texas and are considered to be a wood destroying insect. Listen in to find out how to identify and manage these insects if you find them in your home. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/insects/carpenter-ants/

    texas logo carpenter carpenter ants
    Formosan termites

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 31:35


    There are numerous species of termites in Texas, including some that have found there way here from other parts of the world. Listen in to find out more about formosan termites and how to mange them if you find them on your home. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/publications/formosan-subterranean-termites/

    Honey bees in homes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2022 28:01


    Honey bees are considered beneficial insects due to their benefits as pollinators and producers of products such as honey and wax. Even though these beloved insects can be great, there are times when they can turn into pests. Listen to find out when honey bees can become a concern. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles https://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/bee-removal/

    All about bats (in structures)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 34:12


    Listen to learn if bats really do eat all the mosquitoes around your home and what to do if they take up residence in your attic. https://www.batcon.org/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    What are pesticide baits?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2022 36:18


    Listen in to find out more about pesticide baits: how they are formulated, what insects they are typically targeting, how to use them, pitfalls to avoid, and much more. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Swarmers: termites vs. ants

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2022 27:39


    Can you tell the difference between termite and ant swarmers? Do you know what a swarmer is? Tune in to find out more on how to tell the difference between these two types of insects. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Bed bugs in homes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 39:51


    Did you listen to our last episode a little too late and now you have bed bugs in your home? Listen in to find out where to look for bed bugs and options for management. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    How to avoid bringing bed bugs home

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2022 32:26


    Do you travel? No matter where you stay, hotels or homes, no matter the price of your room, there is a possibility of encountering bed bugs. Listen in to find out what to look for and how to inspect for bed bugs before turning in for the night. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Silverfish and firebrats

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 20:19


    Did you turn on the bathroom light and discover a silvery, carrot-shaped insect with three tails? If so, listen in to find out more about silverfish....and firebrats. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    logo silverfish
    Firewood insects

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2022 22:41


    Have you discovered insects in or around your firewood? Listen to find out what type of insects they may be and whether you should be concerned about them infesting your home. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Stored product moths

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2021 26:53


    In episode 14 we covered information on pantry beetles. This episode will cover how to identify stored product moths and what to do about them. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Pantry beetles

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 26:05


    Have you found bugs in your pantry? If so, they will most likely be either beetles or moths as those are the most common culprits. This episode of Unwanted Guests will describe what pantry beetles you may have and how you can get rid of them. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Kissing bugs

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2021 32:14


    Listen in to discover how to identify a kissing bug, why you should keep an eye out for them, and how you can reduce your chances of having them get into your house. https://kissingbug.tamu.edu/ (Kissing Bugs and Chagas Disease in the U.S. | Texas A&M (tamu.edu)) https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/ (CDC - Chagas Disease) Triatomine testing in Texas: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/IDCU/health/zoonosis/Triatomine-Testing.aspx (Triatomine Testing (texas.gov)) Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Fall nuisance pests

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2021 24:44


    Listen in to find out which insects may become a nuisance when the weather changes. We'll cover hackberry psyllids, acorn weevils, and boxelder bugs. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Commensal Rodents

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2021 34:27


    While commensal rodents can be a problem at any time of the year, cooler temperatures can have them searching for a cozy place to spend winter....which can lead them indoors. Learn all about commensal rodents, how to avoid them, and how to manage them. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    logo rodents commensal
    Unwanted Ladybugs and Excluding Your Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2021 20:35


    Harmonia ladybird beetles are wonderful for controlling aphids in landscapes, but what happens when they move into your home? Tune into find out more about these beetles and how you can keep them- and other pests- outside. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Tawny crazy ants

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2021 29:24


    Tawny crazy ants can be a major pest at certain times of the year. While they don't sting, the NUMBERS of ants can become overwhelming. Tune into to learn where these ants are found in Texas and what you can do about them. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Large flies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2021 26:16


    It's summer, it's hot and flies are going crazy. Tune in to discover what type of flies you may find in and around your home as well as what you can do to mange them. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    Small flies & gnats

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2021 23:05


    Small flies can be a BIG problem when they come indoors. Find out the common small flies you may encounter and how to get rid of them. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    I wanna join the flea circus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2021 24:25


    It's summertime which means that fleas can be a problem whether you have pets or not. Learn why you may have fleas in your home and what you can do to reduce the population. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/insects/controlling-fleas/ (Controlling Fleas - How do you get rid of fleas in your home? (tamu.edu)) Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

    logo flea circus
    Carpet beetles; the common household pest with an outdated name

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2021 15:50


     A discussion of how carpet beetles get inside the house, how to locate them, and how to eliminate them. Podcast art: Natalie Cervantes Podcast music: Owen DesBles

    Mosquitoes with guest Dr. Sonja Swiger

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 29:31


    Mosquitoes are a serious concern as they can vector diseases to humans and companion animals. This episode we talk all things mosquitoes with our guest Dr. Sonja Swiger who is a medical/ veterinary entomologist. https://mosquitosafari.tamu.edu/ https://livestockvetento.tamu.edu/ Podcast art: Natalie Cervantes Podcast music: Owen DesBles

    Red imported fire ants

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2021 31:28


    Red imported fire ants are a major pest in Texas. Learn about why they can be such a problem as well as management strategies. https://fireant.tamu.edu/ (https://fireant.tamu.edu/) Podcast art: Natalie Cervantes Podcast music: Owen DesBles

    Termites and management

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2021 38:56


    Learn about the types of termites that can be found in Texas, when you should be concerned about them, and what you can do to manage them.

    Intro to Your Hosts

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2021 28:26


    Get to know your hosts of Unwanted Guests- Molly Keck, Janet Hurley, Robert Puckett, and Wizzie Brown. Learn how we got into entomology and little bit about what we do every day. https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/ (https://extensionentomology.tamu.edu/) Podcast art: Natalie Cervantes Podcast music: Owen DesBles

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