Where Do Rats Go in the Winter?

Rats are nocturnal creatures and will spend the winter months searching for food. They are able to easily find food near humans, making them ideal candidates for winter shelter. In fact, many of these winter shelters are man-made structures that provide shelter from the cold and a safe haven to store food and live in small colonies.

In the winter months, rats are more active than their summer or fall counterparts and may dig against the structure to find food. These burrows may be near air conditioning boxes or electrical units. Unlike squirrels, rats do not live in burrows for the entire winter, preferring to seek food and shelter elsewhere. As a result, these creatures may dig into the open ground or even through the snow.

Rats and mice will also seek shelter in homes during the winter. They will remain active, but will reduce their breeding rates. The climate in the Pacific Northwest is mild, and this will allow mice to remain active even when there is snow. They will often nest in clusters and will build food caches nearby.

Rats can also find safe havens in sewers. Sewers are an ideal place to find shelter during the winter because they are underground and are well insulated.