Yikes! I do not like rats even though they are animals because rats spread disease. I suggest you set traps and use an animal safe poison babies or no babies. To discourage rats do not let bird seed or pet food stay out in the garden. If the entire neighborhood has been seeing rats you may want to contact the county health department about sending in professional exterminators. Don't count on the cats to contain the rats - a mother rat can fight off a cat. Keep growing - but not rats, Marianne Binetti