Hidden Dangers Lurking in Texas Yards and Trails

Texas can be one of the most beautiful states in the country with its gorgeous landscapes and wide variety of plants and animals, but everything has a price and some species of each can be particularly unfriendly with humans.

Make sure you stay alert and keep the following tips from Texas Parks and Wildlife in mind when hiking, landscaping, or just clearing out an old shed in Texas.

Texas Poisonous Plant Protection Tips

In Texas, your main plant to watch out for is poison ivy, and we sure have a lot of it. This harmful plant comes in multiple forms, either a climbing vine, a shrub, or even a small tree. The leaves also can look different for each, but the best way to identify poison ivy is to look for its signature three-leaf pattern with a fuzzy stem.

Symptoms of coming in contact with poison ivy can kick in between 12 to 36 hours after exposure. These symptoms include itchiness, a burning rash, blisters and swelling.

Oh yeah, and don't even think about burning these plants to get rid of them. Smoke from poison ivy still carries the toxin and can get in your eyes and can cause respiratory damage if inhaled.

If you've been exposed to poison ivy, always wash the site with soapy water as soon as you can. Hydrocortisone creams, ice packs, and lotions can help soothe the itchiness and rash

Protect Yourself from Harmful Texas Insects

I don't have to tell you anything new by saying that red fire ants can be highly dangerous to inattentive Texans. In fact, the state is home to over 210 species of ant, but the fire ant is the only one considered a serious nuisance.

These little guys can deliver a painful sting that can cause red bumps that seriously burn for several days. It's best to keep pets and small children away from mounds in the yard until you can have them professionally removed.

Your best bet, if stung, is to keep the area clean and apply topical creams or gels that will reduce inflammation or numb the area.

Wasps and spiders are included in this list as well. In Texas, wasps are especially dangerous because, unlike bees, they can sting multiple times without dying.

If you find yourself face-to-face with a wasp, you should slowly move your hands to cover your face and slowly back away from the area. Also, if you're enjoying an outdoor picnic, make sure you cover your food and soda. Otherwise, you may have some uninvited guests.

Additional Dangerous Creatures in Texas

Lastly, spiders, scorpions, and centipedes are common threats to Texans.

Venomous spiders like black widows and brown recluse spiders can be found in dark, undisturbed areas like sheds or attics. Always shake your shoes before putting them on and seek medical attention if you know you've been bit.

When it comes to scorpions, they are found all over Texas and have poison glands in their stingers. They are active mostly at night and feed on spiders, centipedes, and other scorpions. Luckily, stings from scorpions are typically not serious, unless there is an allergic reaction that takes place.

Centipedes, on the other hand, prefer damp areas like basements or cellars and are equipped with poisonous claws under their jaws. Centipede bites are comparable to bee stings, and medical care is advised in extreme situations.