The silver in your wallet or piggy bank could be just the thing you need to help keep your home rat-free. It is important to identify and seal these "5p holes" to ensure your home is pest-free. Do rats dig holes in the ground? Rats in the UK are known for digging holes in the ground, making them a nightmare for many gardeners. Discussing the purpose of these, it adds: "Rats construct extensive underground burrows as a refuge from the elements above ground.