While rats and mice might be unwanted pests, you may still spot them around your garden or inside your home.
Whether you’re trying to identify them or you simply want to know what they’re up to, you might be wondering when the rodents are active.
To help you out, the RSPCA has explained the times of day you’re likely to see them.
When are rats and mice active?
The RSPCA website says that rodents are active during the night however, that’s not the only time you might see them.
The charity explains that if the rodents are living near humans, they will be more likely to go exploring during the day as well.
Rodents can live in a variety of places as they’re good at climbing and swimming.
Which rat or mouse have I seen?
If you spot a rat or mouse, it can be difficult to know which type it is.
The RSPCA has listed the types of rats and mice that you might encounter including brown rats and yellow-necked mice.
You might also spot black rats, house mice, wood mice, harvest mice, hazel dormice or edible dormice.
Simple ways to create a wildlife-friendly garden
Recommended reading:
- RSPCA shares how to get rid of rats in your home or garden without harming them
- Garden experts share 7 tips for keeping rats out of your garden
- How to prevent rats and mice getting into your home
You can find out about each species via the RSPCA website.
Brown rats are found across the UK, often near homes, gardens and urban areas. Their bodies grow to around 15-27cm and their tails can be almost as long.
House mice are mostly found in homes and gardens and they can make their way into houses at any time of the year. They are smaller than other types of mice and their tails have less fur than other species.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel