Winter Rodent Facts: Do Rats Hibernate in the Winter?

 

Alabama winters are unpredictable. Some years, our “winters” are warm enough to wear shorts outside on Christmas Day. Others are so cold that many resort to their own version of “hibernating” on the weekends, which usually involves heading inside, bundling up, and getting cozy.

In today’s blog, our small rodent control experts offer valuable advice and solutions for rodents (rats and mice), some of the most common pests that try to hide in human homes during the winter. Let’s begin by getting to know this pest’s wintertime habits better by answering the question: Do rats hibernate in the winter?

 

Other Critters’ Hibernation Habits 

Hibernation is just one of the many ways animals ensure their survival during the winter season and its harsh weather conditions. Many creatures don’t hibernate; insects, for example, either try to find a warmer location, enter a torpor state, or undergo a state of diapause (check out last week’s blog for an in-depth explanation of these different insect winter survival strategies). 

Some rodents, like chipmunks and groundhogs, do hibernate for the winter; you won’t have to worry about them trying to enter your house for most of the season. These rodents’ hibernation can still be a nuisance on your property, though, because they hibernate by burrowing into the ground, potentially uprooting or draining all moisture from your lawn, or even risking damage to your home’s foundation.

 

Do Rats Hibernate in Winter

Rats and mice do not hibernate or overwinter. Instead, they hunt for warm places to nest, and there is no place more nest-worthy to mice than your cozy house that is warmed by insulation, a central heating system, and a fireplace.

Unfortunately, rodents are not polite houseguests; they do not knock and wait at the front door for you to let them in. A rat is more likely to sneak into your house quietly, squeezing in through your chimneys, garage, crawl space, and holes as small as ¼ inch wide anywhere in your home, such as your roof.

 

Wild Rats and Mice Are Pests, Not Pets

We agree that some rats (like fancy-hooded rats!) are cute, friendly, known for their incredible intellect, and can be great pets. However, it is crucial to understand that wild rats and mice are not safe to keep around like those you can buy from pet stores. 

Many assume that the most humane way to deal with a wild rodent in the house is to catch and release it back into the wild. Or if you’re an animal lover and find a tiny baby mouse all on its own, it may tempt you to let it stay warm inside for a short time. However, whenever you see one rat, there will always be more on the way (if you don’t already have an infestation). 

If you choose to catch and release a rat or mouse, you have to ensure they can’t get back in. It’s not always easy to know precisely how a rodent entered your house, and even if you patch up those places, rats and mice that you put back outside into the cold will attempt to force their way back in. After all, rodents can fit through tremendously small spaces in comparison to their size; it can be perplexing to see.

In any case, you certainly shouldn’t let wild rats keep hanging around in your home, no matter how cold it is outside. Wild rodents can carry pathogens and parasites, such as disease-harboring rodent fleas that can bite and cause illness in people and beloved family pets. 

Your family’s health and safety should come first, so you need to know the signs of rats or other rodents nesting in your home, strategies for rodent-proofing, and when it is time to call an expert. Fortunately, you can find all of this information and more for free, right here.

 

Effective Long-Term Rodent Solutions 

Whenever you’re concerned about rats or other rodents in your home this winter, it’s always best to consult a rodent control and removal expert.

At Vulcan Termite and Pest Control, we not only destroy the presence of pesky rodent infestations in your home, but we also offer solutions for both short and long-term rodent prevention.

Our team has proudly served families in Alabama since 1965, and we would be delighted to assist you as well. Call us at 205-663-4200 or contact us online today to learn more about our affordable, highly effective rodent control solutions.