Rodent Control in King William and Southtown
King William sits just south of downtown along a bend of the San Antonio River. German merchants built the big homes on King William Street in the late 1800s, and many of them still stand, along with smaller frame and stone cottages on the side streets. The Guenther House and the Pioneer Flour Mills sit at the south end, and the River Walk runs right past backyards.
Southtown spreads east and south along South Alamo Street, with Lavaca, the Blue Star Arts Complex and a long run of restaurants and bars. That mix of old houses, river and restaurants keeps rats busy.
The river next door
Living along the river is a big part of the appeal here. It also means Norway rats have cover and water close by. They burrow in landscaped banks and come up into yards with fruit trees, compost or pet food. Roof rats use the big pecans along the river to get onto roofs.
Restaurant dumpsters and grease bins along South Alamo add food. Rats raised behind a restaurant don't stay behind the restaurant.
Old houses, many patches
Homes here have been repaired and added onto for well over a century. Stone foundations crack, frame cottages sit on piers, and old chimneys and attic vents leave openings. Ask the technician to check the foundation, the crawl space and the attic, not just the spot where you heard noise. Restaurant owners can ask about restaurant rodent control.
Noise in the attic tonight? Talk to someone who handles San Antonio rodents.
Call (210) 955-2948
Short-term rentals and guest houses
Lots of homes in King William and Lavaca rent out a garage apartment or the whole house to visitors. Rodent signs in a rental get noticed fast and end up in reviews. Check closets, the kitchen and the attic between guests, keep trash carts closed, and fix gaps under exterior doors. A provider can set up a regular check if the property turns over often.
Landmarks and streets: King William St. · S. Alamo St. · Guenther House · Blue Star Arts Complex · San Antonio River · Lavaca (ZIP 78204, 78210)
Questions from this part of town
We back onto the river. Can we keep rats out?
You can make the house hard to get into. Seal the foundation and roofline, keep food and compost closed, and trim limbs off the roof. Rats will still live along the river.
Do stone foundations let rats in?
Cracked mortar and gaps where pipes pass through can. A technician can pack and seal those openings with metal mesh and mortar or sealant.
My neighbor's restaurant draws rats. What can I do?
Keep your own yard clean and sealed, and report overflowing dumpsters or trash to 311. The city reporting guide explains how.
Other parts of town: Alamo Heights, Olmos Park and Terrell Hills, Stone Oak, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Castle Hills and Shavano Park, Medical Center, Windcrest, Live Oak and Universal City, Leon Springs and Fair Oaks Ranch, Beacon Hill and Five Points, South Side and the Missions, Monte Vista, Tobin Hill and the Pearl, Dignowity Hill and the East Side, Woodlawn Lake and Jefferson, Helotes, Alamo Ranch, Schertz and Cibolo, Boerne, New Braunfels.