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Rats fall under the category of the most loathed pests in homes, mainly due to their destructive habits. If you have been wondering if are rats nocturnal or whether they do come out during the day, you’re not the only one! In short, you will rarely see rats during the day, but the fact is that they do come out.
During and after the global COVID-19 pandemic, rat sightings during the day have become even more common in the UK, and people consider are rats nocturnal UK rodents, taking into consideration that food sources have become more scarce. With this in mind, it would not be surprising to spot a rat in your home, or even outside, during daylight hours.
What Time Do Rats Usually Come Out?
Rats are generally known to be nocturnal, which means that the best time for them to come out and do their rodent business would be at dusk. That, however, does not mean that they cannot come out during the day.
Due to the fact that they tend to live close to humans, rats have adapted their natural instincts to best suit their needs. As such, they are now able to come out only when their surroundings are less dangerous, which is mostly after dark.
Depending on the location and environment, however, they can still come out in the daylight as long as it is safe for them. This is especially the case where there are safer routes to explore during the day.
There are some places, mostly commercial, such as bars and clubs, that favor rats a lot during the early daytime hours. These are sites with too much activity going on in the evenings and nights, so rats prefer sneaking in during the day as this is when there is the least activity.
Where Do Rats Hide During The Day?
Houses with higher levels of cleanliness are less likely to foster rat infestations. That being the case, where do rats hide during the day in a house if they cannot come out?
Rats prefer hiding in holes, which is why they often find cracks and crevices inside your home. They may also crawl up through drains, so it is important to check your shower drain and gutter regularly.
When outdoors in the yard, you can find these rodents underneath trash and debris if you have some outside your house. If there are garbage cans and dumpsters around, they will use those too as a means of cover from predators. Rats also crawl up trees during the day to look for food sources.
In a city, rats tend to hide in sewers and other public places during the day where they can avoid predators. They will only come out when it’s dark or when they feel that it is safe to do so.
The most common places where rats like to hide in your house during the day include: air ducts; behind cabinets and cooking stoves, under refrigerators, inside woodpiles, in piles of clutter, storage boxes, ventilation systems, inside hollow walls, drains, in wall and ceiling crawl spaces and attics and basements.
On the other hand, the outdoor hiding locations for rats include: in the garage and outdoor shed; in rain gutters, outdoor drains, sewers, and under bushes and shrubs.
Is It Bad To See Rats During The Day? Does It Mean An Infestation?
Rats will only come out when they feel that it is truly safe, which is why you rarely see them during the day. Thus, seeing one or more rats during the day is often a likely sign of an infestation in your home or commercial property, demanding immediate rat pest control.
On the other hand, it is also possible that there is just one rat that you’re seeing during the day. If it keeps returning to your yard or around your house, however, that can be an indicator of an infestation.
In such cases, the best thing to do is to take note of where the rat flees to after you’ve scared it. That way, further inspection can make it easier to determine whether you are facing a rat infestation on your property.
Other indications of an infestation include, but may not be limited to:
- Lots of droppings in a certain area
- Chewed-through holes in floors and walls
- Nesting material, which often contains paper, fabric, or even plants
- Strange smells coupled with other signs, such as droppings and rat activity during the day
Seeing rats during the day is not necessarily a bad thing. However, seeing one or many rats during the day, in addition to other signs of an infestation, should make you feel a little concerned. Thus, it is important to take action as soon as possible and get in touch with an expert for pest control London services.
If you believe you have a problem with rats in your home or yard, our CCS Pest Control team is specially trained in rodent trapping, removal, and control. Contact us today to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in London and to schedule a free inspection.
Our certified pest experts will work with you to find the best solution for your needs, whether it be heat treatment or trapping.
