Winter insect shelter

Winter insect shelter

Author: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension December 16, 2021 Duration: 30:35

Tune in to find out what you can do to help create a welcoming habitat in your yard for overwintering insects.

Logo by Natalie Cervantes

Music by Owen DesBles


Ever wondered what's really going on in the grass beneath your feet or buzzing around your tomato plants? Bugs by the Yard turns a curious eye toward the small, often overlooked lives sharing our urban spaces. Each episode, hosts Molly Keck and Wizzie Brown from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service's Department of Entomology bring their expertise down to earth, exploring the insects you might find in a Texas backyard or community garden. They don't just label creatures as good or bad; instead, they dig into the fascinating roles these animals play, from the notorious pests munching on your herbs to the beneficial predators working silently for your garden's health. The conversations are grounded in science but filled with the kind of practical observations and genuine curiosity that comes from years of hands-on work. You'll come away not just with identification tips, but with a deeper understanding of the complex ecosystems operating just outside your door. This isn't a dry lecture-it's a friendly chat with experts who love their six-legged subjects. The Bugs by the Yard podcast makes entomology accessible and surprisingly relevant, whether you're an avid gardener, a concerned homeowner, or simply someone who pauses to watch a beetle cross the sidewalk. It’s a reminder that you don't need to trek into the wilderness to encounter nature's drama and ingenuity; it's all happening by the yard.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Bugs by the Yard
Podcast Episodes
Insect sounds of summer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:46
This episode we'll talk about the ways that insects communicate by using sound.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles
Solitary wasps in Texas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:47
The previous episode covered information on the common social wasps in Texas, so we decided to round out the topic and cover solitary wasps as well.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles
Social wasps - paper wasps, yellowjackets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:03
This episode we'll talk about the two main groups of social wasps found in Texas: paper wasps and yellowjackets. ....and yes, we touch on hornets as well....Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles
Spittlebugs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:54
Have you ever wondered what the spit stuff is that you see on plants? If so, listen in to find all about the insects that create the "spit".Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen Des Bles
Oak tree caterpillars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:14
There are a bunch of caterpillars that are emerging/ falling out of oak trees right now (springtime in Texas). Listen in to find out what caterpillars you may be seeing and what or if you should do anything about them.Lo…
Honey bee products [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:49
Honey bees are known for being pollinators, but they also provide us with products. Honey is the most popular of these products, but listen into to find out what else they provide.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen D…
Silk and silkworms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:20
Listen to find out more about the history of silk and the insects that create this natural fabric.Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles
What is entomophagy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:45
Do you know what entomophagy is? I'll give you a hint....ento is base for insect and pahgy is base for eating. Tune into this episode to find out more!Logo by Natalie CervantesMusic by Owen DesBles
Cochineal scales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:22
Cochineal scales are a common insect, sometimes thought to be a pest, on prickly pear cactus. Tune in to find out more about why these insects are used to create a bright red dye called carmine, their history, and uses.L…
Popworms: soldier fly larvae and composting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:22
Are you looking for a new way to compost your kitchen scraps? Soldier fly larvae may be just thing for you. This episode has guest Dr. Jonathan Cammack talking with us about Popworms and soldier flies.Logo by Natalie Cer…