McKinney sits at the northern edge of Collin County's explosive growth corridor — where undisturbed Blackland Prairie farmland is being rapidly converted into master-planned communities. This disturbance exposes established subterranean termite colonies that quickly recolonize new construction. Homes built on the heavy black clay north of US-380 face especially high moisture retention against foundations. Romex is your locally managed, Sentricon®-certified termite team.
What type of property needs service?
Note: We do not service trailer homes or vehicles.
McKinney is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, and that growth is rewriting the pest landscape. Thousands of acres of former cotton and grain farmland north of US-380 are being graded, plumbed, and paved — disturbing termite colonies that have been undisturbed for decades. When construction displaces these colonies, they recolonize the nearest available structures: your new home.
The Historic Downtown McKinney square and surrounding neighborhoods contain some of Collin County's oldest structures, many with original pier-and-beam foundations, wood-frame porches, and mature trees whose root systems channel moisture directly toward foundations. South McKinney neighborhoods along Wilson Creek and East Fork of the Trinity River sit in natural drainage corridors that keep soil consistently damp — perfect for Reticulitermes flavipes (Eastern subterranean termite).
Meanwhile, newer developments in Tucker Hill, Trinity Falls, Painted Tree, and Erwin Farms are built on clay that was farmland just years ago. Builder-grade soil treatments last 5–7 years on this heavy Blackland clay before chemical breakdown leaves homes exposed. First-gen homeowners in these communities are now entering the window where proactive Sentricon® monitoring becomes critical.
Liquid soil treatments 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 McKinney'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 the heavy clay around McKinney, foraging tunnels can extend 300+ feet from the colony. The Recruit HD bait 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 McKinney's expanding 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 McKinney, 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 in the field.
Translucent, equal-length wings shed by reproductive termites after mating flights. The primary swarm season in North Collin County runs March through May, triggered by warm days following rain events. Swarmers inside your home 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 older homes with original wood framing. In our experience, this is the sign most homeowners notice only after significant damage has already occurred.
Moisture from termite tunneling behind walls causes paint to bubble or peel. This is often misdiagnosed as water damage, 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 beneath. We recommend immediate inspection if you notice this — by the time structural signs appear, colony activity has been underway for months.
Small piles of soil-like material near baseboards, in crawl spaces, or on windowsills can be termite "workings" — soil packed into tunnels. In North Collin County's clay soils, this is sometimes mistaken for dirt kicked up by settling foundations.
Eastern subterranean termites are the dominant species across Collin County. They thrive in the Blackland Prairie's heavy clay soils north of US-380, which retain moisture year-round. Formosan subterranean termites have been confirmed in scattered North Texas locations. Drywood termites are rare in the McKinney area.
Costs vary by property size, foundation type, and infestation severity. Sentricon® baiting system pricing is based on the linear footage of your foundation. Romex offers free termite inspections — no obligation. Financing options are available for all termite treatments.
Historic Downtown McKinney and surrounding neighborhoods with original pier-and-beam foundations face the highest risk. Homes along Wilson Creek and the East Fork of the Trinity see elevated moisture. Newer communities like Tucker Hill and Trinity Falls are entering the 5–7 year window where builder-grade soil treatments wear off.
McKinney's primary termite swarming season runs March through May, triggered by warm days following spring rain events. A secondary swarm window opens in September–October. Swarmers inside your home indicate the colony is already established in or beneath the structure.
Yes. Complimentary termite inspections are available throughout McKinney and North Collin County, including Allen, Fairview, Prosper, Celina, Princeton, Anna, and all surrounding communities.
Romex has protected Collin County homes since 2016. Locally managed. Sentricon® Certified. Free retreatment guarantee.
