Note: External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State Health Services. These sites may also not be accessible to people with disabilities.

What spiders in Texas are poisonous?

Although all true spiders have venom glands, not all venoms produced are very poisonous to humans. In fact, only two spiders in Texas are known to have the potential to commonly cause severe reactions: the brown recluse and the black widow. However, any spider bite could cause a reaction, especially if you are hypersensitive to that particular venom. See also the Medically Important Arthropods page for more information and pictures.

What do I do if I have been stung or bitten by a bug?

Such bites and stings often require little more than making certain that the affected area is kept cleansed. As with any wound, attention should be given to avoid bacterial infections. However, some individuals may develop an allergic or hypersensitive reaction, and there are a few bugs whose bite or sting will often cause a local or systemic reaction. If such a reaction is suspected or you have a history of allergic reactions, contact a physician, clinic, or hospital for immediate examination and possible treatment. It is also wise to either kill or safely contain the bug for positive identification. You may submit such specimens to the Medical Entomology Laboratory, Texas Department of State Health Services for proper identification as follows:

Texas Department of State Health Services
Medical Entomology Laboratory
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756

For more information call (512) 458-7615.

^ Top

What bug is attacking my plants?

Although there are thousands of bugs that attack and damage plants, many bugs found on plants are actually beneficial. Becoming knowledgeable of the more common types of plant bugs can be very helpful to you as a home gardener. For those bugs that are more difficult to identify, you may want to ask for advice from your county agricultural extension agent. If you are concerned with the possibility of a bite, sting, or contact dermatitis, specimens may be submitted to the Medical Entomology Laboratory, Texas Department of State Health Services for proper identification.

What diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas?

Arthropods play a significant role as vectors of many pathogenic microorganisms. Mosquito-borne, tick-borne and flea-borne diseases occur in Texas. Mosquito-borne diseases are encephalitides caused by West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus, western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus, eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, and California encephalitis virus; Dengue fever; malaria; and Yellow fever. Flea-borne diseases, such as murine typhus and plague, have been identified in Texas. Diseases transmitted by ticks are ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI), Relapsing Fever, tularemia, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF).

^ Top

How do I know if a snake is poisonous?

Proper identification of a snake should be left to an expert. Unless you are experienced in such identifications, it is best to avoid any snake. Although many snakes are both beneficial and harmless, some nonpoisonous snakes are capable of inflicting serious bite wounds. Information on the poisonous snakes of Texas is available from Texas Parks & Wildlife.

How do I find information about head lice?

Questions or request for information regarding identification, control in school settings, treatment, and health and safety codes of head lice in minors can be addressed as follows:

Texas Department of State Health Services
Family Health Services
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756

For more information call (512) 458-7111 ext. 2140

^ Top

What do I do if there is a swarm of bees in my yard?

You should contact your local city or county health department or your county agriculture extension service. Honey bees are commonly encountered and are responsible for numerous stings.

How do I control fleas, roaches, mosquitoes, ants, and other bugs?

Questions or request for information regarding Vector Control can be addressed as follows:

Texas Department of State Health Services
General Sanitation Division
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756

For more information call (512) 834-6773 or Fax (512) 834-6707.

^ Top

Last Updated December 6, 2004