No, rats do not hibernate. Instead of entering a state of hibernation, rats become significantly more active in the fall and winter as they search for food, warmth, and shelter to survive the cold. This is why homeowners often notice a dramatic increase in rodent activity as the temperature drops.
Why Rats Don’t Hibernate
Rats are not true hibernators. Hibernation is a deep state of inactivity and metabolic depression used by some animals to survive the winter when food is scarce. Unlike animals like bears or groundhogs that can slow their heart rate and lower their body temperature for months, a rat’s small size and high metabolism require a constant energy supply to maintain their body heat. They simply aren’t built to go without food for long periods. Their survival strategy is not to sleep through the winter, but to seek out a stable, warm habitat with a reliable food source—which often happens to be inside your home.
How Rats Survive the Winter
- Seeking Shelter: As the weather gets colder, rats look for insulated, dry places to nest. They can squeeze through incredibly small openings, often no bigger than a quarter or the size of a human thumb, to get inside. Basements, attics, garages, and wall voids are prime targets. They can also follow utility lines into your house, or find their way in through foundation cracks, damaged vents, or gaps around windows and doors.
- Foraging for Food: Rats have a relentless drive to find food. They will chew through plastic containers, cardboard boxes, and even electrical wires to get to a food source. They are particularly attracted to dry goods like cereal, pasta, and pet food left in accessible packaging. Once they’ve found a consistent food supply, they will create nests nearby to raise their young.
- Breeding: Unlike animals whose breeding cycles slow down in the winter, rats can breed year-round. A single pair of rats can produce a significant number of offspring in a short period—a female can have up to 5-10 litters a year, with each litter containing 5-12 pups. This means a small problem can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation, especially with the added protection of an indoor environment.
- Building Nests: Rats will use any available material—shredded paper, fabric, insulation, cardboard, or even dried grasses—to build nests that provide warmth and safety for their colonies. They will often tear up insulation in your walls or attic to create these nests.
Signs of a Rat Infestation in Winter
The presence of rats is often more noticeable in the winter. Look for these key signs:
- Droppings: Rats leave behind small, dark, pellet-like droppings, often found along baseboards, in pantries, or in attics. These are one of the most common signs of a rat problem.
- Gnaw Marks: Rats gnaw on everything from food containers and furniture to electrical wiring and wooden structures. Gnaw marks on electrical wires are a serious fire hazard.
- Sounds: You may hear scurrying, scratching, or squeaking sounds coming from your walls, ceiling, or attic, especially at night when they are most active.
- Grease Marks: Rats often travel the same paths along walls and baseboards. The oil and dirt from their fur can leave behind distinct, dark grease marks along these routes.
- Burrows: In your yard or near the foundation of your home, you may find small burrows or holes where rats have been tunneling.
Understanding that rats become more active, not less, in the winter is key to protecting your home. For a complete guide on how to prepare your home for the cold season, read our blog on how to avoid rat issues in winter.