No. Rats and mice remain active, seeking food and shelter through cold weather.
Accessible garages, walls and lofts provide protected spaces. Food nearby can keep rodents returning.
Repeated scratching, gnawed packaging and droppings warrant attention. Sound alone cannot identify the animal.
Rats can shelter beneath sheds or decking. Fewer outdoor sightings do not mean they have gone.
Use hard, tightly lidded containers for pantry food, pet food and seed. Clear spills around storage.
Check doors, vents and pipe entries. Coordinate sealing with removal when animals occupy enclosed spaces.
Do not wait for spring. Review the winter signs and practical next steps.