Pest Library: Common Pests in Austin

Welcome to Your Austin Pest Library

Living in Austin means dealing with a mix of warm weather, occasional rain, and long stretches of sunshine. That’s the perfect recipe for a wide range of household pests to start showing up. Whether you’ve noticed something crawling across your kitchen floor or want to stay ahead of future problems, understanding which pests are most common in Austin can help you respond the right way.

At FACT Pest Control, we know how important it is to not just treat pests, but to identify what you’re dealing with. Different invaders cause different problems, and the way you prevent or handle them can vary quite a bit depending on the species.

Common Pests in Austin

Austin’s hot summers, mild winters, and pockets of urban greenery create an environment where pests thrive year-round. Some are harder to spot than others, and many tend to sneak in unnoticed—until there’s a problem. This guide highlights the most common pests in Austin households, outlines the risks they bring, and shares simple ways you can reduce the chance of an infestation.

Ants

Ants are a regular concern for Austin homeowners. They’re small, fast-moving, and persistent. Once they find food or moisture, they communicate with the rest of the colony to move in quickly.

The most common types you’ll find here are fire ants, carpenter ants, and odorous house ants. Each of these brings its own type of trouble. Fire ants can be aggressive and sting. Carpenter ants don’t eat wood, but they hollow it out, which can harm your home. Odorous house ants are mostly annoying, often nesting indoors and smelling like rotten coconut when crushed.

To help keep ants away, try these steps:

- Remove crumbs and food spills right away

- Store pantry items in sealed containers

- Seal cracks or entry points around flooring and window frames

- Keep plants and tree limbs trimmed back from your siding

Cockroaches

Nobody wants to see a cockroach run across the floor—and if you spot one, there’s a good chance there are more. The two species you’re most likely to come across in Austin are the American cockroach and German cockroach. The American variety is larger, often found in basements or under sinks. German roaches are smaller, but they multiply quickly and usually appear anywhere food is stored.

Roaches can carry bacteria into your home, especially in areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Their droppings and shedding body parts can also trigger allergies. That’s why good sanitation goes a long way in pest prevention.

Eliminate attractants by:

- Keeping your trash lids tight and bins clean

- Fixing any plumbing leaks, including under sinks

- Wiping down surfaces that collect grease or crumbs

- Checking grocery bags and boxes before bringing them inside

Scorpions

Scorpions can appear in shaded or dry areas around your home. Some might even sneak indoors looking for cooler temperatures. In Austin, the striped bark scorpion is the type you’ll most frequently encounter. It’s not deadly, but its sting can be very painful—especially for pets or young kids who may not see it coming.

These nocturnal creatures often hide in shoes, closets, or under debris in the yard. If you live near wooded areas or rely on exterior lighting, you might unknowingly be drawing them in. That’s what happened with one homeowner in Central Austin who noticed scorpions regularly sneaking into the garage at night. After removing old boxes along the wall and sealing the door threshold, the sightings stopped almost completely.

Prevent scorpion appearances by:

- Removing wood piles, stones, or brush near your home

- Installing weather stripping on doors and windows

- Repairing screens and sealing lower wall gaps

- Reducing outside lights or switching to yellow bug lights

Spiders

Many people tolerate spiders until they spot one in the wrong place—and some spiders in Central Texas can be cause for concern. Common house spiders are mostly harmless. But venomous types like the black widow and brown recluse can be dangerous, especially if left undisturbed in garages, closets, or sheds.

These spiders look for quiet corners where they won’t be bothered. The biggest issue is they don’t want to be bothered by you either, which is when bites tend to happen. Make it a habit to regularly declutter storage areas, wear gloves when moving boxes, and pay close attention to what may have been sitting idle for too long.

Rodents

Rodents are a year-round problem in Austin, especially when temperatures start to shift. The most common types homeowners encounter are house mice and roof rats. Both can squeeze through tiny gaps, making their way into attics, kitchens, and garages. Once inside, they can quickly cause damage—gnawing on wires, chewing through food packaging, and nesting behind walls.

Beyond property damage, rodents are known carriers of bacteria and other allergens. Their droppings can build up fast, making them harder to control the longer they go unnoticed. If you hear scratching at night or find shredded materials around your home, it could be a sign of activity.

To reduce the chances of a rodent problem, keep these tips in mind:

- Seal entry points, especially around vents, pipes, and the foundation

- Store dry goods in metal or plastic containers with locking lids

- Keep outdoor trash bins away from the house and always covered

- Trim tree branches that may give rodents roof access

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are one of the most frustrating common pests in Austin, especially once the weather heats up. These insects are drawn to standing water, where they lay their eggs and multiply quickly. From clogged gutters to birdbaths or plant saucers, it doesn’t take much water for mosquitoes to settle in.

Besides being annoying, their bites can trigger itching and swelling. In some cases, mosquitoes have been linked to illnesses, which makes prevention even more valuable for families spending time outside.

One example comes from a neighborhood in East Austin where a few small puddles collected under a leaky AC unit. The area wasn’t looked at for weeks. By the time a mosquito problem popped up, it took several treatments and drainage work to get it under control.

Reduce mosquito issues by:

- Emptying or replacing standing water every few days

- Cleaning gutters and directing runoff away from the home

- Installing mesh screens on doors and windows

- Using outdoor fans, which make it harder for mosquitoes to land

Termites

Subterranean termites are one of the most damaging pests you’ll find in Central Texas. They live underground and can feed on a structure for years without making their presence obvious. This makes them an expensive problem if not caught early.

These termites build mud tubes along foundations or walls to reach food sources inside your home. If you’ve ever noticed soft spots in wood or bubbling paint with no water damage, that could be a sign. Regular inspection and taking action early can prevent long-term headaches down the road.

Prevent termite activity by:

- Avoiding direct contact between soil and untreated wood

- Keeping crawlspaces dry and well ventilated

- Fixing leaky plumbing that could create moisture issues near the foundation

- Scheduling periodic inspections, especially if you’ve had issues in the past

Protect Your Home With Local Expertise

Every home in Austin faces its own set of challenges when it comes to pests. From ants marching across your kitchen counter to termites hidden behind the walls, knowing what to look for can make a big difference. Staying aware of the most common pests in Austin helps you act quickly—and sometimes avoid an infestation entirely.

Being proactive doesn’t mean doing it alone. FACT Pest Control brings local knowledge and solutions that are tailored to the Austin environment. Our team understands the behavior of these pests and offers treatments that actually work in this region. Whether you’re trying to solve a current problem or want to prevent the next one, we’re here to help with answers, not just services.

Don’t wait until pests take over your home. If you suspect any of the common pests in Austin are invading your space, contact FACT Pest Control today. Fast action can keep the problem from getting worse. Schedule your service now—we’re ready when you are.