Rodent Control in Castle Hills and Shavano Park

Castle Hills and Shavano Park are separate small cities surrounded by San Antonio on the north side. Castle Hills sits at the south end of Northwest Military Highway, about seven miles from downtown, and I-410 cuts it in half. Shavano Park sits farther north, with Loop 1604 as its northern edge. Both have large lots, mature trees and plenty of older ranch-style homes.

Big trees and big lots are great for privacy. They also make it easy for roof rats to reach a roof without ever touching the ground.

Trees Over the Roof

The most common story here goes like this. Limbs from a live oak or pecan hang over the roof, rats use them to cross, and they get in where the trim has pulled away or a vent screen has rusted out. Trimming those limbs back is the first fix, and it's one you can schedule with your tree service. After that, the roofline gets sealed.

Pool Houses, Cabanas and Detached Garages

Larger lots often have a pool house, a detached garage or a guest house out back. Those buildings usually get less attention than the main house, and rats and mice set up in them first. Check under sinks, in storage closets and around pool equipment. Droppings in an outbuilding are an early warning for the house.

Shavano Park is flat to gently rolling, but the hills start just north of 1604. Lots on that edge see more brush, more deer mice and the odd pack rat.

Landmarks and streets: Northwest Military Hwy. · I-410 · Loop 1604 · De Zavala Rd. · Lockhill Selma Rd. (ZIP 78213, 78231)

Other parts of town: Alamo Heights, Olmos Park and Terrell Hills, Stone Oak, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Medical Center, Windcrest, Live Oak and Universal City, Leon Springs and Fair Oaks Ranch, Beacon Hill and Five Points, South Side and the Missions.