I think they are some kind of moth caterpillars similar to the gypsy moth. It seems they come in cycles. You may have them one year and then not see them again for years after that. Spraying BT is the best thing you can do to combat them.

Is anyone else experiencing an outbreak of these caterpillars?

I have not seen those at all.

Not here. We are having a bad white fly outbreak in Dripping Springs

The number and shape of their legs make me doubt that they are caterpillars. They must be a larvae of a different insect/critter. To the best of my knowledge, caterpillars have only 3 pairs of true legs and several prolegs. Those critters on the picture seem to have many real legs. Dawn, have you noticed an abundance of other adult bugs like earwigs, beetles or centipedes?

Omar

Omar, what you're seeing as legs I saw as caterpillar hair, or bristles. It's hard to tell for sure.

Several years ago we had an outbreak of caterpillars on live oak trees in this neighborhood. When they'd fall off they'd eat whatever they found on the ground. I thought perhaps this is what Dawn is experiencing.

We are literally surrounded by woods and a creek in north Houston, and I've never seen so many different types of bugs, so it's hard to keep up with all of them. Besides Asian roaches and tiny little black roaches, these caterpillars are the only insects that I've seen in large volumes. I've only seen a few beetles and and earwigs here and there... But I've only been here 4 months. It does look like numerous identical legs to me.. Let me see if my pics will load clearly this time.

Yeah, those are real legs. I don't think they are caterpillars. I would say they are some sort of centipedes.

Omar

PS: Ragna, would you please put your glasses on? :p

Omar, get out of here! My eyes are perfectly fine. (But you may be right, for once ... ;-)

Centipede, millipede ....

After a little bit of research since you mentioned the legs, it looks like they may be millipedes. I was reading that they are harmless and only eat decaying plant matter. However, there saw some on the underside of my basil leaves and eating into the side of a tomato, both of which were very healthy and not dying. My potted daisies' soil is absolutely infested with them and they are clearly eating healthy, large green leaves from it. I guess I could mix some DE into the soil...? I'm very confused at the moment on what's going on and what to do.

Dawn, I searched "'organic centipede and millipede control" and this site came up. You may have come across it also.

Here is a bait they recommend. I've never used it or any of their recommended products, but it might be worth a try.

Has anyone reading this had good results with DE? Is there anything you recommend?

Usually caterpillars are easily controlled with BT Worm Killer from Green Light. It gets diluted fairly heavily when you apply so a lifetime supply costs about $10. Bacillius thurengenses (BT) is a disease to caterpillars causing instant and permanent paralysis. Spray it on and they either become paralyzed immediately or the first time they eat something coated with the BT.

The natural predators for caterpillars are the paper wasps that are building their nests under your eaves. Here's a pic of my little caterpillar eaters. They will fill each cell with a caterpillar.

Dchall, do you have any recommendations for the control of millipedes that are munching on garden plants?