SeasonalModerate risk
Why Are Rats Coming Inside During Winter?
Quick answer
Rats move indoors in cooler months because buildings offer warmth, shelter and reliable food when outdoor conditions are less favourable. Roof voids, wall cavities and sheds are warm and dry, and kitchens, pet food and compost provide food. Many Australians first notice rodents in autumn and winter when nights get colder.
Why this happens
Cold nights increase the energy rodents need, so shelter and food close together become more valuable.
Seasonal changes in outdoor food, such as fewer insects and seeds, push rodents towards human food sources.
Breeding may slow in cooler weather, but established indoor populations can keep breeding in warm roof voids.
What you can do
- Seal entry points in late summer and early autumn, before rodents move in.
- Store pet food, bird seed and grain in sealed containers.
- Tidy sheds and garages and store items off the ground.
- Set traps at the first sign of activity.
Rodenticides must be used exactly as the label directs, in tamper-resistant bait stations where required, and out of reach of children, pets and wildlife. Dead rodents should be removed with gloves. If a child or pet may have eaten bait, call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) or your vet immediately.
When professional help may be needed
Seasonal rodent programs, including exclusion work and monitored bait stations, are commonly used ahead of winter.
Related pest
Rats
Introduced rodents that live alongside people, nest in roofs, walls and gardens and gnaw through building materials and wiring. Roof rats are the most common household rat in many Australian cities.
Mice
Small, curious rodents that squeeze through tiny gaps, nest in walls, cupboards and appliances and breed quickly. The introduced house mouse causes most household problems.
Species mentioned
Roof Rat (Black Rat)
Rattus rattus
An agile climbing rat that nests in roof voids, trees and dense vegetation. The rat most often heard in ceilings in Brisbane and other coastal cities.
Norway Rat (Brown Rat)
Rattus norvegicus
A large, heavy-set burrowing rat found around drains, creeks, sheds and under slabs. Less of a climber than the roof rat.
Related questions
Related guides
Rodent-Proofing Your Home
How rats and mice get in, which materials actually keep them out, and how to combine exclusion with sanitation and trapping for lasting results.
GuideHow to Pest-Proof Your Home
A practical, room-by-room approach to reducing pests without relying on chemicals: remove what attracts them, close the ways in, and make your property less comfortable for them.
GuideCommon Brisbane Household Pests
A Brisbane-specific overview of the pests residents meet most often, when they are active, and what the subtropical climate, storms, creeks and Queenslander homes mean for pest pressure.
Local information
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Sources & further reading
- Australian Museum — insects and spiders — Australian Museum
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