The New York City Health Department says the Bronx is one of its rat mitigation zones, meaning there are areas in the Bronx with a higher population of rats.

Rats can make people sick and damage homes, creating an overall nuisance and lower quality of life for entire neighborhoods.

The New York City Health Department says there are ways to keep rats out of your property, including cleaning up garbage, checking for cracks or holes in foundations of buildings, and keeping landscaped areas of property free of tall weeds.

News 12's Natalie Hernandez spoke to Mike Mills, the deputy director of Neighborhood Interventions to see how his team responds to rat complaints in the boroughs.

To view data on rat complaints and NYC Health Department rat control, you can visit the Rat Inspection Portal by clicking here.