Rats usually remain in the basement or ground floor of a building. They also live in fields, farms, woodpiles and buildings. Their nests are usually lined with shredded paper or cloth. rats are known for the damage they cause by chewing on materials, urinating on food and eating stored foods. They have also been known to chew on wires, which can cause fires to start. They also carry disease and ectoparasites. Rats will attack both animals and humans.

(From National Pest Management Association's www.pestworldforkids.com)