BILL White would like to extend an invitation to anyone who thinks that the residents of Copmanhurst are complaining needlessly about the colony of bats that have engulfed their village.
"Anyone who wants to see what all the fuss is about is welcome to come out and camp at the base of my property, right near the tree line so they can experience the noise, the smell and the mess first-hand," he said.
"All of the bats that are missing from Susan Island are right here in Copmanhurst."
Bill, who calls Copmanhurst home, was not really worried by the bats when they set up shop in the trees near his property in April.
"Now though there are 10 times as many. As soon as dusk comes around, the sky is blackened with them."
While the noise and the mess is a bit of a nuisance for Bill and his wife, he sees the hygiene risks associated with the presence of the bats to be of greater concern.
"Anything that eats and defecates through the same orifice is not really welcome near my home.
"People around here have horses, cattle, dogs and cats, not to mention children. The worst-case scenario is though that a case of Hendra comes about."
Bill and his neighbours have a range of methods for keeping the bats away from their homes, and do anything from banging on tin rooves with brooms to banging pots and pans.
Next year however the Copmanhurst residents will be prepared.
"We are planning on getting some strobe lights to keep them away next year."
At the moment though, Bill and his neighbours are looking forward to March when they are expecting the bats to move on.
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