As part of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s ongoing New World Screwworm (NWS) prevention, surveillance, and early detection strategy, Biosecurity Enforcement and Region 5 inspectors and personnel continued implementation of the statewide NWS Trapping Plan. These operations support coordinated surveillance efforts with state and federal partners to rapidly identify and respond to any potential introduction of New World Screwworm into Texas.
Under the direction of Commissioner Sid Miller and in coordination with the NWS Task Force, Biosecurity personnel along with Region 5 Inspectors expanded trap deployment operations along critical transportation corridors and high-risk agricultural areas throughout South and Southwest Texas. The trapping initiative is designed to provide continuous monitoring capabilities across counties located between the Texas-Mexico border region and interior portions of the state.
NWS Fly Trap Deployment Operations – June 4, 2026
Biosecurity Enforcement personnel successfully deployed a total of thirty-six (36) New World Screwworm fly traps across Webb, Maverick, Kinney, and Val Verde Counties. Deployment activities covered approximately 105 miles of state highways, county roads, ranchlands, and rural transportation corridors identified through the approved surveillance and trapping plan.
Traps Deployed by County:
• Webb County – 1 Trap
• Maverick County – 27 Traps
• Kinney County – 4 Traps
• Val Verde County – 4 Traps
Total Traps Deployed: 36
Operational Coverage
The deployment route encompassed placing traps every 3 mile along the US/Mexico Border from Webb County all the way to the Val Verde County, approximately 105 miles of roadway and rural terrain, focusing on areas identified as priority surveillance zones due to livestock movement, wildlife activity, transportation corridors, and proximity to the international border region. These deployments strengthen statewide detection capabilities and provide critical data to support ongoing risk assessments associated with New World Screwworm prevention efforts. This enhanced surveillance and trapping plan now has extended from the Boca-Chica and Starbase area in Cameron County, all along the Texas-Mexico border corridor, to Val Verde County with 142 surveillance traps being deployed.
Additional Trapping Expansion
According to operational updates received from Biosecurity field personnel, NWS trap deployment operations have been completed throughout Webb County and Maverick County and are continuing westward into Kinney County and Val Verde County in accordance with the approved surveillance strategy. Additional trap placements are anticipated as the trapping grid expands across the designated monitoring area.
This operation supports the statewide mission of:
Early Detection • Rapid Response • Protection of Texas Agriculture
The objective is to conduct surveillance, gather intelligence, collect evidence, and monitor for any signs of the New World Screwworm fly. Information collected through these operations is shared with the New World Screwworm Task Force, where TDA works collaboratively with state, federal, local, and international partners to protect Texas from this devastating pest.
Strategic Significance
The NWS trapping program remains a critical component of Texas’ layered biosecurity defense strategy. Early detection through systematic surveillance allows for rapid identification of suspect specimens, immediate notification of state and federal partners, and timely implementation of containment and eradication measures should a New World Screwworm detection occur.
The Texas Department of Agriculture remains committed to protecting Texas livestock, wildlife, agricultural producers, and rural communities through aggressive surveillance, intelligence gathering, and coordinated response efforts. These operations directly support the mission established by Commissioner Sid Miller to defend Texas agriculture from emerging biological threats and invasive pests that pose a risk to the state’s agricultural economy and national food security.
Counties Covered Per Trap:
Cameron 14 - Hidalgo 14 - Starr 14
Zapata 16 - Webb 31- El Paso 1
Nueces 4 - Val Verde 5
Harris 6 - Galveston 6
Mavrick 27 - Kinney 4
Totals: 142
SOURCE: Texas Department of Agriculture