We have had odd rats that only seem to eat during the day, and then I have not seen them in the garden with night vision at all. Some seem happier feeding during the day even when there are not large numbers of them.

One thing that can help you avoid waiting around for hours is the fact that they do tend to feed at around the same time of day every day or night, We had one that would come out to the bird table within 5 minutes of 1 o'clock in the afternoon every day.

The best gun to use if the one that you are most accurate with at your chosen range.