Like any other animal, rats have their place in their ecosystems and play a vital role as a predator and food source for other creatures. And while it’s possible to live in close proximity to wild rats without ever knowing or being affected, rats that get into a building may eat any food that’s available, chew through building and electrical materials, and can bring in fleas and other diseases. But using poison to kill rats in a home, school, workplace, or other building is also dangerous to the environment, people, and pets and other animals, and should be avoided. Instead, one of the eco-friendliest ways to get rid of rats involves rat-proofing buildings so they don’t get in to begin with, or trapping and removing any that have entered a building.