If you live west of MoPac, you live in scorpion territory. Austin's limestone Hill Country is natural habitat for striped bark scorpions — and they don't recognize property lines. Romex's seal-treat-prevent approach keeps them outside where they belong.
The Austin metro straddles two distinct geological zones. East of the Balcones Escarpment (roughly Interstate 35), deep clay soils support different pest pressures. But west of MoPac and IH-35, the Edwards Plateau begins — fractured Cretaceous limestone with thin, rocky soils. This is the Texas Hill Country, and it's ideal scorpion habitat.
Striped bark scorpions (Centruroides vittatus) shelter in the crevices between limestone rocks, under ledges, inside retaining walls, beneath loose bark, and in wood piles. When residential development pushes into this terrain — as it has aggressively in Westlake, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Steiner Ranch, Dripping Springs, and Liberty Hill — scorpions simply move from rocks into the nearest structure.
Scorpions are remarkably resilient. They can survive without food for 6–12 months, flatten their body to squeeze through gaps as thin as a credit card, and resist most retail pesticides. They're also nocturnal — most Austin homeowners first encounter them barefoot, in the dark, walking to the bathroom at 2 AM. A UV blacklight tour of a Hill Country yard at night will typically reveal dozens of scorpions glowing fluorescent blue-green on fences, walls, and ground cover.
Scorpions enter through gaps you can't see. We inspect and seal weep holes (with screens, not caulk — weep holes need airflow), pipe and wire penetrations, door sweeps, garage weatherstripping, and window frames. In Austin's Hill Country homes, the most common entry point is the gap between the foundation slab and the bottom of the exterior stone veneer.
Residual insecticide is applied to the foundation perimeter, around all entry points, and in harborage zones — retaining walls, rock landscaping, wood piles, and the exterior stone fascia. We use microencapsulated products that remain effective for 60–90 days even in Austin's summer heat and UV exposure.
We reduce the scorpion food supply by controlling crickets, spiders, and other prey insects around your property. Habitat modification recommendations include moving wood piles 20+ feet from the structure, replacing loose stone borders with sealed hardscape, trimming ground cover within 3 feet of the foundation, and removing landscape lighting that attracts prey insects to the structure.
Same-day scorpion treatment available across the Austin area. Our technicians are trained to work in Hill Country terrain.
The striped bark scorpion's sting is painful — similar to a bee sting — but rarely medically significant for healthy adults. Young children, elderly individuals, and people with allergies can have stronger reactions. Seek medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, swelling beyond the sting site, or numbness.
Austin's western neighborhoods sit on the Edwards Plateau — fractured limestone with abundant crevice harborage. When development pushes into this terrain, scorpions move from rocks into the nearest structure. They can enter through gaps as thin as a credit card.
Scorpions are nocturnal hunters, most active May through October. Peak interior sightings occur in late spring (May–June) when they emerge from winter dormancy and early fall (September–October) when cooler nights drive them indoors.
Three phases: (1) Seal entry points — weep holes, pipe penetrations, door sweeps, and foundation gaps. (2) Treat — residual insecticide on the foundation perimeter and harborage zones. (3) Prevent — control prey insects and modify habitat within 5 feet of the foundation.
Scorpion control is included in general pest plans starting at $129–$149 per service. Hill Country properties may benefit from monthly service during peak season (May–October) and quarterly service during cooler months.
Living in the Hill Country doesn't mean living with scorpions in your bedroom. Romex's seal-treat-prevent approach creates a barrier that keeps them outside.
