Rats have been sighted in many neighborhoods along the Wasatch Front. While rats are found every year about this time, some residents say they're seeing more of them.

Gordon Lund, an environmental scientist with the Salt Lake City/County Health Department has been visiting back yards for the past several weeks and he agrees - the rat population appears to be up substantially - 20% more sightings, he says, and in the daylight.

The rule of thumb, he says, is, "If you see a rat during the daytime, that might mean there are as many as ten in that particular area that we don't see."

Of course our cameras never found any today, but resident Jack Tuke said they were there in his yard.

"I had grandchildren and we had the dog back there and they were playing out there and they came in a couple of times and said, 'There are some big mice out there,' and I said, 'Oh they're not mice.'"

Gordon Lund says residents can control rats on their own. Don't leave uneaten pet food out and like Jack Tuke, get rid of mulch containing vegetable greens, old fruit or meat products.

Residents can also buy rat bait. Lund says this kind stays in the wrapper. Place it an adult's arm length in a plastic pipe. The pipe is large enough for the rats, but too small for dogs and adult cats.

State epidemiologist Craig Nichols says if the rat population is up this year, residents can expect to find more deer mice, especially in rural areas.

Deer mice are carriers of the Hantavirus and residents are advised to take precautions. The disease is contracted when people inhale dust from mice urine or droppings.

Nichols says, "Well we think the greatest risk is probably from fresh urine and people who are exposed in tight spaces."

Nichols and Lund say ventillate closed spaces first. Then while wearing disposable gloves, spray the fecal area with a mixture of 3 tablespoons chlorine bleach to one gallon water. Wipe it up with a cloth. Then throw it away in a plastic bag.

Lund says it you should find dead rats or mice, don't pick it up. Use a shovel or other tool. Dump it into a double plastic bag. Tie the top and place it out for regular trash pickup.