There’s a new danger rising along the Texas border, and it doesn’t come with guns or gangs. It’s a tiny bug with a big bite—the New World screwworm. This flesh-eating parasite is no stranger to Texas. In fact, it once caused such destruction that it nearly crippled the cattle industry back in the 1970s. Now, ranchers are sounding the alarm again. And if the government doesn’t act quickly and smartly, we could face another disaster—one that hits our food supply and our economy hard.
Dr. Michael Vickers, a seasoned veterinarian from Texas, remembers the last time screwworms showed up. As a young vet, he saw animals suffering from deep, rotting wounds. These wounds weren’t caused by predators or disease. They were caused by the larvae of the screwworm fly, which eats living flesh. Not only did it leave animals in pain, but it also put ranchers at risk of losing their herds. Some cattle died. Some had to be destroyed. The financial damage was massive.
Let’s be clear—this isn’t just about cattle. Screwworms can infect any warm-blooded animal, including deer, pets, and even people. In fact, a recent case in Maryland showed how serious it can be. A man came home from El Salvador with a screwworm infection. That’s how close this threat is—not just to our farms, but to our families.
The United States once beat the screwworm through science and hard work. The key was breeding and releasing sterile male flies. When these sterile flies mated with females, no new larvae were born. Over time, the population of screwworms dropped to near zero. But the question now is: Are we ready to do it again?
Right now, the USDA has started investing in facilities to produce more sterile flies. That’s a good start, but it may not be enough. Ranchers are already using treatments like ivermectin to protect their herds, but medicine won’t solve the problem alone. We need a full-scale defense. That means producing enough sterile flies quickly and spreading them across the region effectively. It also means getting more help out on the land. Ranchers are short on skilled cowboys—men and women who know how to ride, rope, and care for cattle. Without them, it’s harder to check animals, treat infections, and stop the spread.
The stakes are high. Texas has a $15 billion cattle industry. Across the U.S., cattle bring in around $100 billion. If screwworms spread, prices for beef could go up for everyone. But it doesn’t stop there. Deer and other wildlife could also be infected, hurting the hunting industry and local economies that depend on it.
This is where the federal government must act with both speed and sense. Our Constitution sets clear limits on the power of Washington, but defending the national economy and protecting states from invasive pests is part of the job. The USDA must work with Texas and other border states to get this under control. That means cutting red tape, speeding up fly production, and helping ranchers with the tools they need.
We also need to remember that this problem is made worse by the ongoing crisis at the border. When people or goods come in unchecked, so do pests and diseases. Border security isn’t just about safety—it’s about sovereignty and survival. Our ranchers are on the front lines, and they deserve full support.
The screwworm is a small bug, but it brings a big lesson: Freedom isn’t free, and neither is food. If we want to keep our cattle safe and our plates full, we must act now—boldly, wisely, and in line with the principles that built this nation.
