Pest control in Central Texas is not optional. Fire ants colonize every unmaintained lawn by April. Scorpions are a reality in the limestone belt neighborhoods that cover much of Williamson County. Subterranean termites are silently active throughout the region. And the cedar trees that give cedar fever its name also shelter wood-destroying insects year-round. Here's what you need to know and who to call.
Central Texas Pest Reality Check
🐜 Fire Ants
Red imported fire ants are established throughout Central Texas and are essentially impossible to fully eliminate — the goal is suppression and control. Quarterly exterior treatments create a barrier that prevents foraging workers from bringing food and reproductive members inside, and that treats the yard surface to reduce colony density. Fire ant mounds in the yard are treated directly. Interior fire ant incursions (which happen in wet weather) are addressed separately.
🦢 Scorpions
The striped bark scorpion is the species Central Texas homeowners encounter, and it is venomous — not lethal to healthy adults but genuinely painful, and dangerous for young children or people with allergies. Scorpions are particularly prevalent in the limestone rock terrain of Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, and the Hill Country edge of Williamson County. They shelter under rocks, in firewood, in wall gaps, and in dark spaces. Effective scorpion control requires specific treatment products and consistent exterior maintenance. Not all pest control programs address scorpions specifically — ask before signing up.
🐛 Termites
Central Texas has significant subterranean termite pressure. These termites live in the soil and access your home through the foundation, attacking wood framing silently for months or years before becoming visible. Annual termite inspections are worth doing regardless of whether you see activity. Baiting systems that eliminate colonies (rather than just treating the surface) are the most effective long-term approach.
Top Rated Pest Control Companies
🐜 Bulwark Exterminating — Cedar Park (Best Overall)
Bulwark holds the strongest pest control rating in the Central Texas market at 4.9 stars across 3,214 reviews. The quarterly service model, re-service guarantee (they come back free if pests return between visits), and scorpion treatment expertise make them the first call for Cedar Park and Leander homeowners. The review volume at 4.9 stars is extraordinary in this category.
🐜 ABC Home & Commercial — Round Rock (Most Comprehensive)
ABC's Round Rock location earns 4.7 stars across 4,521 reviews as the most comprehensive home services option — pest control, termite treatment, lawn maintenance, and irrigation from one provider. The bundling value is real for homeowners who want to simplify their home maintenance vendor list. The termite treatment program is among the most thorough in the market.
- Quarterly is the right interval: Monthly is overkill. Annual is insufficient for Central Texas pest pressure. Quarterly creates a consistent barrier.
- Scorpion-specific treatment: Ask explicitly whether your pest service treats for scorpions. Not all programs include the specific products needed. Bulwark specializes in scorpion control — it's one of their primary selling points in the Cedar Park market.
- Termite inspection timing: Schedule your first termite inspection in spring when termite swarmers are active and infestations are most visible. Many pest companies include a free termite inspection with pest service enrollment.