Viral videos show how scary barbecue can be in Central Texas

Texas has a number of qualities that make it a pleasant place to live. Sure, the state has its flaws like any other place—crowded highways, triple-digit heat levels—but we love it nonetheless.

Even non-Texans recognize the appeal of this. Accordingly, the state recorded the second highest net migration of over 170,000 people in 2022 USA today.

But there's one quality that makes some people reconsider their decision to move here, and it's probably not what you think.

Grilling. They make one an uninvited appearance every year. And they bring all their friends and family with them too.

Viral videos on TikTok show hordes of crickets making themselves at home in malls, universities and parking lots across Texas – they've even taken up residence at the state Capitol.

A video posted by a TikTok user in Dallas shows dozens of the animals crawling around a parking lot light.

“I'm moving. I move states. “I’m moving,” the user says in the video.

The shocking sight was apparently captured by Whiskey Cake and Sixty Vines at a Kroger off the toll road, according to the video's creator.

“Bro one flew into my car and I stopped the car in the middle of the road and blew up,” one user commented on the original video.

One of the most helpful aspects of social media during cricket season is that it allows us to get an idea of ​​where to go at any cost. avoid until the crickets finally leave.

Another video taken at Texas State University at San Marcos shows two students zigzagging, jumping and sprinting to avoid crickets on campus.

“There’s one in my dorm every morning,” one user commented on the video.

The cricket conversation continues on X. In a video posted by Texas Newsroom reporter Lauren McGaughy, she says the scene conjures up thoughts of the end times.

“Looks like a biblical plague hit the Texas Capitol this morning,” McGaughy captioned the post.

Crickets are displayed on the stairs and in the corners and collected at the entrance to the Capitol.

Condolences to the Capitol staff who have to deal with the cricket infestation every morning.

“I had no idea something like this existed in Central Texas,” one user commented on the post. “I’ve never seen a cricket swarm in Houston!”

It looks like we don't need to pack our bags, book a flight and head out of state just yet – we just need to check out the real estate market in Houston.