People living in the Spring Garden section of Nutley say they have been seeing a lot more rats in the town.

Residents say the problem started about a month ago near Emily Avenue and Spruce Street near Nichols Park. They say the rats have been running through the backyards.

Town officials say this tends to happen when people aren’t cleaning up their garbage or when roadwork is finishing up.

“I know that they recently replaced a lot of the roads in that area so that could have definitely increased rodent activity…So being proactive, making sure your trash is locked up and appropriate baiting and we will utilize the day birth control where appropriate,” says Public Affairs Commissioner John Kelly.

Township officials say they have baited some sewer lines in the hopes of drawing the rodents back underground.

Anyone with a rodent issue is advised to contact the Nutley Health Department.