Very few people like them, and some are absolutely terrified at the thought of one being anywhere near them.
But rats are a problem that shows no sign of going away.
There were more than 700 calls made last year to Carmarthenshire Council about that very issue.
And while the council does not offer a pest control treatment service, it does offer residents advice.
According to the council, the Llwynhendy area had the highest number of rat-related calls in 2018, with 74.
While wards including Whitland, Llandeilo, Abergwili and Bynea all had under 10 calls last year.
How many calls were made about rats where you live
Here's a list of all the locations across Carmarthenshire where calls relating to rat problems were made to the council throughout 2018.
Abergwili: 1
Ammanford: 15
Betws: 3
Bigyn: 35
Burry Port: 21
Bynea: 9
Carmarthen Town North: 36
Carmarthen Town South: 17
Carmarthen Town West: 24
Cenarth: 3
Cilycwm: 5
Cynwyl Elfed: 3
Cynwyl Gaeo: 4
Dafen: 22
Elli: 14
Felinfoel: 19
Garnant: 6
Glanamman: 7
Glanymor: 51
Glyn: 7
Gorslas: 12
Hendy: 16
Hengoed: 26
Kidwelly: 16
Laugharne Township: 3
Llanboidy: 2
Llandeilo: 3
Llandovery: 4
Llandybie: 16
Llanegwad: 6
Llanfihangel Aberbythych: 4
Llanfihangel ar Arth: 5
Llangadog: 5
Llangeler: 11
Llangennech: 10
Llangunnor: 4
Llangynderyn: 18
Llannon: 23
Llansteffan: 4
Llanybydder: 7
Lliedi: 22
Llwynhendy: 74
Pembrey: 16
Penygroes: 7
Pontamman: 12
Pontyberem: 9
Quarter Bach: 14
Saron: 13
St Clears: 5
St Ishmael: 7
Swiss Valley: 6
Trelech: 11
Trimsaran: 18
Tycroes: 9
Tyisha: 9
Whitland: 2
Nick Atkinson, owner of Llanelli-based company, Alpha Pest Control, has been providing a service for more than 20 years.
He explained what went into trying to solve a rat problem within a property.
Mr Atkinson said: "I examine around the property first to see if there are any obvious access points and then I go into the attic to see if there are any signs of rodent activity.
"I treat it then by putting down a combination of traps and bait [rat poison].
"I work within a 16 mile radius of Llanelli but most of the calls come from within a 10 mile radius."
One single mum recently claimed she couldn't keep food in her kitchen after it had became overrun with rats.
Alisha Beynon, who has a young son, had heard scratching in the walls and attic before spotting a rat in her Llanelli home.
She said at the time: "I put flour down to see where it was going and it was on my worktops, cooker, everywhere.
"One night I made a pasta bake for me and my son and there was a little bit left so I thought 'I'll leave it until the morning' and when I came down it was all gone.
"We go to my parents or friend's house to eat unless it's from the fridge. Crisps or pasta, anything like that, I can't keep them."
