Bugs by the Yard

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Learn about insects that occur in urban backyards and gardens of Texas; whether they be pests, beneficials, or really fascinating! This podcast is presented by Molly Keck and Wizzie Brown via the Department of Entomology with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Bugs by the Yard image produced by Natalie Cervantes.
Intro and outro music produced by Owen DesBles.

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20 episodes
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Avg 29 min
English

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S4 · E123
Yesterday · 15 min
Forelius - Cheese Ants
This episode will have you smashing and smelling ants! Listen in to learn why :) Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E122
September 10 · 19 min
Rover ants
You've probably seen them "roving" around...rover ants! These tiny ants are some of the cutest you can find in Texas and are the only ants here that have 9 segmented antennae. https://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/urban-pests/ants/rover/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E121
August 27 · 54 min
Monica Siwiak - Honey Sommelier
Meet Monica Siwiak of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Apiculture Program! Monica is in the Fort Bend area and a honey sensory expert. Questions for Monica? Reach her at monica.siwiak@ag.tamu.edu Honey 101 Course - https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=885637&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1den5eqi6s9w9&fbclid=IwY2xjawToUORwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMURWVXN4c0Q4c09TazlxUVFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEevzHvm4bMjfUjL_KO_HC1L3vs1ZiM-TRex_2xlAb6EDnO71cQdk69QuPTk8A_aem_Ih2cuxxJe0WV7bdMFz2cRA Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E120
August 13 · 13 min
Big-headed ants
Continuing with our ant series, this episode covers a native cutie, big-headed ants. Guess what their distinguishing feature is! https://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/urban-pests/ants/big_headed/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E119
July 23 · 28 min
Meet Dr. Rafia Khan - Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist in Overton
Continuing with our interviews of Extension Entomologists & Program Specialists in the Texas Integrated Pest Management Program, we interview Dr. Rafia Khan from the Overton area. https://entomology.tamu.edu/people/khan-rafia/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E118
July 9 · 24 min
Carpenter ants
Carpenter ants are known as a wood destroying insect, but are they really something to panic over? Listen in to find out. https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Carpenter-Ants.pdf https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/household/ants-house/ent-2001/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E117
June 25 · 24 min
Harvester Ants
Join us on our new series about the wonderful world of ants. This week - harvester ants, aka red ants, aka Texas red ants, aka the horned lizards favorite snack! Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E116
June 11 · 46 min
Meet Dani Sekula - IPM Program Specialist in Weslaco
Continuing with our interviews of Program Specialists in the Texas Integrated Pest Management Program, we interview Danielle Sekula from the Weslaco area. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E115
May 28 · 46 min
New world screwworm
The new world screwworm has been in the news A LOT lately. This episode we're joined by Dr. Sonja Swiger to discuss what you need to know to protect yourselves, companion animals, and livestock. Resources: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/new-world-screwworm Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E114
May 14 · 20 min
Green lacewings
Green lacewing larvae are voracious predators and can be very beneficial in helping to manage other insects in the garden and landscape. This episode, we discuss how to identify green lacewings in their various stages and talk about why you want them around. https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/green-lacewing/ Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E113
April 23 · 41 min
Meet Stephen Biles - IPM Program Specialist in MidCoast Area
Wizzie and Molly interview colleague Stephen Biles of the Texas Midcoast area. Email - biles-sp@tamu.edu Blog/Newsletter - midcoastipm.blogspot.com Pasture Mealybug Information - http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/pasture-mealybug/
S4 · E112
April 9 · 33 min
Legume plant pests
Legume crops are beans and peas, but also many wildflower species (think bluebonnets!). Learn the other insects you may find on your legume crops, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating! Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide/01t4x000004OfitAAC Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E111
March 26 · 32 min
Nightshade Crops - Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants
Texans love to grow crops in the nightshade family - Solanaceous Crops. Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Learn what insects typically plague them! Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E110
March 12 · 25 min
Squash Vine Borers
Squash vine borers can be a major pain for gardeners. There isn't much you can do about them, but here are some suggestions. Mentioned during the podcast, Kaolin Clay: https://youtu.be/ZfmAm74Of6o?si=xBsj35HdAd8KGk8v https://youtu.be/plsFdgvvc8s?si=UYtKXscyxJA4DQU0 https://youtu.be/V_oU5U9rSlU?si=daI8B6XTblqNzzSS Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E109
February 26 · 37 min
Cucurbit pests
Cucurbit crops are those veggies in the Cucurbitaceae family, or gourd family. This family includes squash, zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelon, other melons and others. Learn the insects you may find on your cucurbits, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating! Cucurbit insects from Aggie Horticulture https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/problem-solvers/cucurbit-problem-solver/cucurbit-insects/ Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide/01t4x000004OfitAAC Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E108
February 12 · 28 min
Cole crop insects part 2
Cole crops are those veggies in the Brassica family - mustards, cabbage, broccoli, kale, lettuce, cauliflower and others. They are generally grown during cooler weather and can have a number of insect issues. Learn the other insects you may find on your cole crops, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating! Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide/01t4x000004OfitAAC Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E107
January 23 · 30 min
Cole Crop Pests - Caterpillars
Cole crops are those veggies in the Brassica family - mustards, cabbage, broccoli, kale, lettuce, cauliflower and others. They are generally grown during cooler weather and can have a number of insect issues. Learn the common caterpillars you may find on your cole crops, when to treat, how to treat, and how to avoid treating!0 Fall Vegetable Planting Guide: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/fall-vegetable-gardening-guide/01t4x000004OfitAAC Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E106
Dec 11, 2025 · 13 min
Stocking stuffers for bug lovers
With our final episode of 2025, we talk about ideas for stocking stuffers for the bug lover in your life. Links below are provided as a springboard for ideas, not as an endorsement for any particular product. Jeweler's loupe https://rb.gy/9ue88a Insect collecting containers https://shorturl.at/GLbro https://shorturl.at/iCSle Craig Tracy Art https://www.craigtracy.com/ Quick Reference Publishing Guides https://www.quickreferencepublishing.com/ Insect Lego https://shorturl.at/Sp6OP Honey sticks https://www.glorybee.com/honey/honeystix Wildflower Seeds https://seedsource.com/search.php?search_query=pollinator Insect tree ornaments https://h7.cl/1jIEv Brass/ metal decorative insects https://shorturl.at/ygbB9 Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E105
Nov 27, 2025 · 24 min
How do insects overwinter?
Did you ever wonder where insects go in the winter? Or maybe you've wondered if we have a freeze if there will be no insects in the spring. This episode will discuss insect overwintering strategies as well as ways that you can help the insects in your yard. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles
S4 · E104
Nov 13, 2025 · 27 min
Solitary and Social Insects Explained
Insects display an array of sociality - from totally solitary to truly social. This episode dives into the differences in sociality. Logo by Natalie Cervantes Music by Owen DesBles

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