Eastern subterranean termites cause more property damage in Travis County than storms, floods, and fire combined — and homeowner insurance doesn't cover it. Romex is Austin's locally managed, Sentricon®-certified termite treatment team. We've protected Central Texas homes since 2016 with colony-elimination technology, not just surface sprays.
Austin sits on the Balcones Fault Zone — a geological boundary where limestone Hill Country meets the Blackland Prairie. The eastern half of the city is dominated by deep, moisture-retaining clay soils that subterranean termites exploit for foraging tunnels. The western half has fractured limestone with enough soil pockets and moisture seepage to sustain colonies in foothill neighborhoods like Westlake, Bee Cave, and Lakeway.
Central Texas receives roughly 34 inches of rain annually, with the heaviest events concentrated in spring (April–June). These rain events saturate the soil, drive termite swarmers to the surface, and push foraging workers closer to foundations. Austin homeowners often notice swarmer wings on windowsills or mud tubes on foundations within days of a major rain event.
The city's building stock amplifies the problem. Neighborhoods like Hyde Park (1890s–1940s homes), Travis Heights, Zilker, and Bouldin Creek feature pier-and-beam foundations with exposed wood in direct contact with soil — the exact conditions subterranean termites need. Even newer slab-on-grade construction in suburbs like Pflugerville, Hutto, and Manor is vulnerable where builder-grade soil treatments have worn off (typically 5–7 years post-construction).
Termite pressure varies across the Austin metro based on soil type, home age, and proximity to water. Here's what we see in the field.
Liquid soil treatments were the standard for decades, but they create a chemical barrier that degrades over time. Sentricon® takes a fundamentally different approach — it targets the colony itself.
Our TDA-licensed inspector evaluates your property's foundation perimeter, identifies active mud tubes, moisture intrusion points, and wood-to-soil contacts. Sentricon® stations are installed every 10 feet around your foundation — in Austin's clay soils, we often tighten spacing to 8 feet near high-risk areas like garden beds and AC condensate drains.
Subterranean termites forage constantly through soil. In Austin's heavy clay, foraging tunnels can extend 300+ feet from the colony. The Recruit HD bait inside each station contains a chitin synthesis inhibitor — termites consume it and share it through trophallaxis (mouth-to-mouth feeding), carrying the active ingredient back to the colony.
The active ingredient (noviflumuron) prevents termites from molting. Since every termite must molt to survive, the effect cascades through the colony — workers, soldiers, reproductives, and the queen are all eliminated. Colony collapse typically occurs within 60–90 days of initial bait uptake.
Stations remain in the ground permanently and are checked quarterly. If a new colony moves into the area (common in Austin's dense suburban developments), the stations intercept it before it reaches your home. This continuous protection is what sets Sentricon® apart from one-time liquid treatments.
Pencil-width mud tubes running vertically on your foundation or interior walls. In Austin, these most often appear on the shaded north and east sides of homes where moisture lingers. Check behind landscaping — dense plantings against foundations are the #1 concealment factor we see.
Translucent, equal-length wings shed by reproductive termites after mating flights. Austin's primary swarm season runs March through May, triggered by warm days following rain events. Swarmers inside the house indicate the colony is already established in or under the structure.
Subterranean termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a paper-thin surface. Tap door frames, baseboards, and window sills — especially in pier-and-beam homes in Hyde Park, Travis Heights, and Zilker where framing contacts the soil through pier blocks.
Moisture from termite tunneling behind walls causes paint to bubble or peel. This is often misdiagnosed as water damage in Austin homes, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens where plumbing creates additional moisture that attracts foragers.
Advanced termite damage to floor joists and subfloor causes visible sagging. Doors and windows that suddenly stick may indicate structural damage. In older Austin homes with post-and-pier foundations, inspect wooden support beams for tunneling.
Small piles of soil-like material near baseboards, in crawl spaces, or on windowsills can be termite "workings" — soil packed into tunnels. In Austin's red-clay areas, this is sometimes mistaken for dirt kicked up by settling.
Our technicians are positioned across the metro for fast response. Same-day inspections available for most communities.
Eastern subterranean termites are the dominant species across Travis County. They thrive in Austin's alkaline clay soils, which retain moisture and provide ideal tunneling conditions. Formosan subterranean termites have been confirmed in scattered Central Texas locations. Drywood termites occasionally appear in imported furniture but are not endemic to the area.
Costs vary by property size, foundation type, and infestation severity. Romex offers free termite inspections to assess your property before quoting — there is no obligation. Sentricon® installation pricing is based on the linear footage of your foundation. Financing options are available for all termite treatments.
Yes. Complimentary termite inspections are available throughout the Austin metro, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Kyle, Leander, and all Travis County communities.
Colony elimination typically occurs within 60–90 days of initial bait uptake. Installation takes 2–4 hours depending on property size. Stations are monitored quarterly and remain in place for ongoing protection against new colony incursions.
Older neighborhoods with pier-and-beam foundations face the highest risk — Hyde Park, Travis Heights, Zilker, Bouldin Creek, and Clarksville. Homes near creeks and areas with mature tree canopy also see elevated pressure. East Austin renovation sites are at risk when existing barriers are disturbed.
Termite damage isn't covered by homeowner insurance. A free inspection takes less than an hour and could save you thousands. Romex has protected Central Texas homes since 2016.
