Could The Screwworm Be Texas’ Disgusting New Invader

Living in Texas is a blessing, but it doesn’t come without its difficulties. Surviving Texas has a plethora of challenges between the hurricanes, droughts, and doodoo heads on the highway. Now there is a new threat that residents of the lone star state have to deal with. We are being invaded by the New World Screwworm. 

The New World Screwworm is a fly larva, but it has some unique qualities that separate it from its maggot cousins. The adult female has some uncomfortable places that she likes to lay her eggs. There is nothing more inviting on a warm-blooded animal to the Screwworm fly than the wounds, nostrils, and even the eyes, and when the eggs hatch the larvae don’t just passively hangout. The screwworm larvae will use their mouth hooks to screw into the flesh of their host. 

The screwworm has been seen in Mexico just south of the Texas border, and it has officials worried. Scientists, agriculturalists, and politicians are asking people to be on the lookout for infected animals. You’ll know if the animal is infected because it will appear to being tortured by little grains of rice. Signs of the infection include head shaking, the horrific odor of decaying flesh, and maggots wriggling around in their wounds. 

Don’t think that just because you don’t live in a barn or graze out in a pasture that you’re safe from the screwworms. The screwworm will happily feed on you and your pets. To avoid this from happening you must make sure that you clean and cover all your wounds, use plenty of bug repellant, and go ahead and cancel any trips that you might have planned for Mexico soon.