Rats have long been associated with the dark of night and seen as nocturnal creatures that only emerge from hiding after the sun goes down. While it’s true that rats are most active at night, the idea that they stay hidden away during daylight hours is a bit of a myth.
Rats are nocturnal creatures, which means they are most active at night. However, this does not mean they do not come out during the day. Rats can be seen during the day if hungry, thirsty, or threatened. They are opportunistic creatures that will take advantage of any opportunity to find food, water, and shelter.
Let’s look deeper at rats’ natural activity cycles and circadian rhythms to understand better when they’re likely to be out and about versus laying low.
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Rats Are Crepuscular, Not Strictly Nocturnal
While rats are commonly referred to as nocturnal animals, a more accurate description is that they are crepuscular. Crepuscular means most active during twilight periods—dawn and dusk. This gives rats more flexibility in daily routines than strictly nocturnal animals like bats.
Wild rats and those in lab environments show two activity peaks each day. One is in the early morning hours before dawn, and another is in the evening heading into nighttime. Their activity tapers off during the middle of the day and night.
So rats aren’t confined to being out only after dark. They do come out some during daylight; it’s just not their peak period. Twilight times lining up with crepuscular nature makes the most sense for avoiding predators with good vision, like hawks, while still having enough light to forage.
Factors That Influence Daytime Emergence
Whether individual rats emerge during the day depends on several external variables:
- Temperature – Rats become less active when it’s very hot or cold and tend to seek shelter. On milder days, they’re more willing to be out.
- Shelter availability – Rats living in an area with little covered refuge will hole up more in daylight. With ample hiding spaces, bolder rats venture out more often.
- Food sources – If food is readily available outside (unsecured trash, pet food left out), rats don’t need to wait for darkness to eat. Scarcity pushes them to nocturnal patterns.
- Threats – Predators, humans, and other disturbances send rats back underground during the day for safety. Less disturbed environments encourage braver daytime activity.
- Adaptability – Rats are highly adaptive. Populations in urban or indoor locations with artificial lighting show disrupted circadian rhythms and increased daytime movement.
So, while most active at night as a default, various circumstances can and do result in rats being spotted during daylight on occasion. Their survival has long depended on being cautious but flexible creatures.
Rats During the Day – An Indication of Infestation
While rats may come out during the day to look for food, it’s not typical for them to do so. The presence of rats during the day can indicate a severe infestation in your home.
When rats are forced to come out during the day, it usually means that the nest is overcrowded, and there’s not enough food for all of them to eat. If you see rats during the day, it’s time to take action.
Managing Rat Infestation in Your Home
If you have spotted rats during the day, taking action immediately is essential. Rats are some of the most destructive rodents, capable of causing significant damage to your property and carrying various diseases.
Here are some steps you can take to manage a rat infestation in your home:
Cut Off Their Food Source
Rats are constantly motivated by their next meal. Removing accessible food sources is key to deterring infestations. Secure all food and garbage in rodent-proof containers, clean up yard debris, and do not leave pet food out overnight. Denying them an easy food source makes an area less attractive.
Use Multiple Trapping Methods
No single trap type will catch every rat. Use a variety of snap traps, live catch traps, and multi-catch boxes baited with peanut butter or cheese. Place them against walls in areas with rodent activity. Check daily and dispose of captured rats humanely.
Poison Should Be a Last Resort
Poisons pose risks to pets and kids if not used carefully. They also result in dead rats hiding in walls. Trapping is more effective and ends the problem immediately without carcasses left behind. If necessary, use tamper-resistant bait boxes outside, away from homes.
Exclude Their Entry Points
Rats can squeeze through amazingly small holes. Seal cracks and openings larger than 1/4 inch around the exterior foundation, attic, and crawl spaces using wire mesh, caulk, or copper scrubbers. Repair broken vents and screens to block points of entry.
Remove Shelter and Travel Routes
Eliminate piles of debris, stacks of wood, and dense vegetation near homes where rats may live and travel unseen. Prune back tree branches and landscaping touching the structure. Grass should be cut short to remove the hiding cover.
Be Vigilant and Patient
It takes time and consistency to get rodent problems fully under control. Regular monitoring and quick response are needed until no further activity is observed for several weeks. With diligent prevention efforts, infestations can be managed effectively over the long run.
After Thought
Rats are not strictly nocturnal creatures. They are crepuscular animals that show two peaks of activity each day – one in the early morning and another in the evening. However, various external factors such as temperature, shelter availability, food sources, and threats can influence their daily routines and cause them to be seen during daylight hours.
If you see rats during the day, it may be a sign of a larger infestation that needs to be addressed promptly. You can effectively manage and prevent rat infestations in your home by taking preventive measures such as cutting off their food source, using multiple trapping methods, and excluding entry points.
Call a pest control professional if the issue becomes too overwhelming to handle alone. Remember, patience and consistency are key to managing rodent problems in the long run.