Grey-headed flying-fox FAQs for Eurobodalla residents

Flying-foxes are loudest when they leave their camp at dusk and return at dawn. During the day, you might hear short bursts of noise as they settle or interact. Noise can increase during breeding season or if they feel stressed by people, machinery or pets. To help reduce the noise, you could:

• install double-glazed windows
• install curtains
• improve insulation in the walls/ceiling of your home
• remove/protect fruit from trees in your backyard.

If flying-foxes feed on your fruit trees at night, this usually lasts if fruit remains. You can:

• Pick fruit early before flying-foxes get it.
• Use fine netting (holes smaller than your finger) to cover trees (or individual fruit) and keep them out safely.
• Plant non-fruiting plants around your home.
• Use fake predator decoys like owls or hawks to deter them.

These methods work best when flying-foxes are not hanging around your yard. Avoid deterrents like loud noises or water sprays as they stress the animals.

The smell mainly comes from the scent male flying-foxes use to mark their territory. It’s strongest on hot, wet or still-air days and can change with weather patterns. Although residents find the smell unpleasant, it doesn't pose a health risk. To reduce the smell:

• Plant fragrant flowers to mask odours.
• Close windows and doors during high-odour times.
• Use air conditioning on recirculate or fans inside your home.
• Seal off at least one room so you have a place to go when you need some relief.

Flying-foxes can drop faeces as they fly or while resting. If your house lies under a flying-fox flight path, droppings on clothes or cars can be an issue.

Tips to protect your belongings:

• Avoid hanging washing outdoors during flying-fox fly-outs at dawn and dusk.
• Cover washing with a tarp or use a dryer.
• Clean droppings quickly with soapy water to avoid paint damage.
• Store cars under cover or use a car cover if you don’t have a garage.

For cleaning droppings safely:

• Wear disposable gloves and a mask.
• Spray droppings with water, wipe with a rag, then wash hands thoroughly.
• For larger areas, use a high-pressure hose.

Council loans high-pressure cleaners to residents. You can borrow one at our depots:

• Batemans Bay depot - phone 02 4475 4035
• Moruya depot - phone 02 4474 1391.

It's very rare for flying-foxes to pass diseases to people. The two main viruses linked to flying-foxes in Australia are spread only through bites or contact with infected saliva. There have been no confirmed cases from contact with their droppings or urine.

If a bat has bitten or scratched you:

• Gently wash the wound straight away with soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
• Apply antiseptic with antivirus action, eg, Betadine.
• See a doctor quickly.

• If you find a sick, injured or stressed bat, call WIRES on 1300 094 737 for help. You can also report it online; do not touch the animal.
• Only trained, vaccinated professionals should care for injured bats.
• If the flying-fox is dead, wear heavy gloves to handle it. Double-bag the body and place it in your red bin, or bury it safely on your property.
• If the dead flying-fox is in a public place, call Council on 4474 1000 to remove it.

Yes, but teach children to never touch flying-foxes and to stay away from camps. Clean play equipment and toys often if soiled with droppings, and cover your sandpit so flying-foxes can't contaminate it.

Dogs and cats may catch flying-foxes. It’s best to keep dogs away to avoid scratches or bites. If you own a cat, we encourage you to keep it within your property boundaries day and night. This doesn’t mean your cat has to stay indoors all the time. Escape-proof outdoor enclosures and fenced gardens provide them safe access to the outdoors.

There is no current advice to vaccinate pets against viruses from flying-foxes. If your pet gets sick after contact, see a vet.

Eurobodalla's drinking water is treated and safe, but wildlife can contaminate rainwater tanks. To reduce risk:

• Fit screens on tanks.
• Clear debris and overhanging branches.
• Install first flush devices that divert dirty water.
• Disinfect water before use by boiling or filtering.

NSW Health advises that in urban areas, the public water supply remains the most reliable source of drinking water for the community. This is because it's generally filtered, disinfected and fluoridated.

Flying-foxes are protected by law. The grey-headed flying-fox is threatened and vital for the environment. Council follows strict rules to manage impacts without harming the animals. Dispersing camps is costly, rarely works, and is only done with official permission and outside breeding seasons.

Council has a management plan to reduce the impacts near camps, while protecting flying-foxes. It includes buffer zones, support services for residents living close to camps and ongoing research.

Council offers advice and support on:

• flying-fox impacts around your home
• tree planting and netting guidelines
• borrowing equipment like high-pressure cleaners
• reporting and safely removing dead flying-foxes
• reporting a new flying-fox roosting site in Eurobodalla.

Contact Council’s Natural Resource Management Officer for more help.