6 Creepy Critters Invading Texas Homes and How to Keep Them Out

I was walking down the hallway at home when I noticed one of our cats playing soccer.

The “ball” was a live scorpion.

That’ll get your attention. And unfortunately, this wasn’t my first uncomfortable encounter with one.

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Shortly after Donna and I bought our home, I was lying in bed when something landed on my head, then scrambled onto my pillow. Yep, a scorpion. The next morning, I called a pest control company.

So when David Dotson of Dotson Pest Control came to service our radio station recently, I had questions.

Why These Critters Want Inside

We talked about six unwanted visitors: spiders, roaches, scorpions, crickets, ants, and mice.

David explained that pests seek food, water, and shelter. Cooler weather can push some inside, but Texas heat and drought can also send pests looking for relief. Prevention matters year-round.

His biggest message? “Clean, clean, clean.”

Crumbs, moisture, and clutter can make our homes and offices mighty inviting.

Check Their Hiding Places and Entry Points

• Spiders and scorpions: Remove unwanted webs and reduce clutter. Texas A&M confirms striped bark scorpions can climb walls and appear in attics. Repair screens and seal gaps around doors, windows, and pipes.
• Roaches: David recommended checking cabinet hinges and drawer rails for pepper-like droppings. Clean overlooked areas, seal food containers, and repair leaks. Spraying alone won’t solve a cockroach problem.
• Crickets and ants: Check damaged door sweeps, cracked window caulking, and gaps around plumbing. David emphasized keeping things clean and sealing the openings that give these little visitors access.
• Mice: Watch for droppings and gnawed packaging. Don’t sweep or vacuum rodent droppings. CDC recommends wearing gloves, thoroughly wetting droppings with disinfectant, waiting five minutes or the label’s specified time, then wiping them up with paper towels.

Call a Professional Without Embarrassment

Whether you’ve spotted one pest or several, David’s advice was to ask for help identifying the problem and finding where they’re getting inside.

My takeaway? Clean thoroughly, close their entry points, and get professional help when needed.

And if your cat suddenly starts playing soccer in the hallway, you might want to check the ball.

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