Flying-foxes and people
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There are a number of myths about flying-foxes that cause many people to fear them. Flying-foxes will not swoop to attack humans, will not get caught in the hair of a passer-by and, if left alone are not dangerous to humans.
Roosting in residential areas
Fruit Damage
Disease
Flying-foxes roosting in residential areas
| What do I do if Flying-foxes roost in my backyard? How long will they stay? Do I need to notify anyone? If a Flying-fox chooses to roost in your yard, don't disturb it, as this will only scatter it to an adjoining property. Residential yards don't make comfortable roost sites for Flying-foxes and it is likely that it will leave that night or after several days. If left alone, Flying-foxes pose very little risk to people or pets. There is no need to notify the Department about the presence of a Flying-fox in your yard as it should move off after a day or two. However, if the Flying-fox stays for more than a week continuously day and night or if you have more than 50 roosting in your yard at any one time, call the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186. Departmental officers, Parks Victoria officers and local council staff will monitor any build up of Flying-foxes in local parks and gardens. How do I get rid of the Flying-foxes in my backyard? If a Flying-fox chooses to roost in your yard, don't disturb it, but observe it from a distance. Disturbing them will only scatter them into adjoining properties. It is likely that they will leave that night or after several days. It is an offence to harass, disturb or hurt wildlife in Victoria. If a Flying-fox roosts in your yard for more than one week continuously, call the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186 and an officer may inspect your property and take appropriate action. Will the flying-foxes damage my garden and eat the fruit off my trees? Flying-foxes currently feed at night in the trees in backyards, streets and parks throughout the suburbs of Melbourne. It is highly likely that private gardens with a food source are already visited by Flying-foxes and, often, residents aren't aware of it. Flying-foxes usually do not cause significant damage to trees that they feed in and, apart from dropped blossoms or fruit on the ground, there may be little sign that they have been there. Very few complaints are received about Flying-foxes in residential gardens. Small fruit trees can be protected by using netting stretched over a frame. Individual fruit or clusters of fruit can be covered with brown paper bags or fertiliser bags and harvested when ripe. If a Flying-fox decides to roost during the day in your backyard, it is unlikely to cause any damage. The small number of animals and their presence for only a short period of time is not likely to result in any damage to the trees. |   |
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Fruit damage
| In their natural habitat, Flying-foxes feed on the blossom, nectar, fruit and occasionally leaves of native plants such as eucalypts, tea-trees, grevilleas, figs and lilly pillys. Flying-foxes will also take or damage ripening stone and pome fruit in orchards, particularly during periods of shortage of their preferred food. Other animals such as parrots, lorikeets, honeyeaters, other birds and possums will also cause damage to these fruits. It is important to know what animal is causing the damage. Each of the animals mentioned attacks the fruit in a particular way and it is often possible to identify the species by examining the signs. Once the animal is identified, an appropriate damage minimisation strategy can be put into place. For more information, see Protecting Backyard Fruit Trees. |  |
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Disease
Any native animal can carry disease or cause injury if not treated properly. Flying-foxes are known to carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus, but the best available evidence suggests that this virus can only be transmitted to humans in saliva from an infected Flying-fox via a penetrating bite or scratch.
If people do not handle bats, there is little to no risk of infection. Simply touching or coming into contact with Flying-fox urine or faeces will not transmit Lyssavirus to humans.
Flying-foxes may also carry antibodies to Hendra virus. There is no evidence that Hendra virus can spread directly from bats to humans. Sick horses appear to have been the source of infection to humans. Spill-over infection to horses and then humans is a very rare event.
What should people do if they are bitten or scratched by a Flying-fox?
People should avoid contact with Flying-foxes under all circumstances. However, if you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound carefully with soap and water for at least five minutes. Do not scrub the wound but do wash it thoroughly. Contact your doctor who will contact the Department of Human Services to arrange appropriate treatment that may include vaccination or booster vaccination.
How do you avoid the risk of contracting a disease from a Flying-fox?
It is wise to be cautious in handling sick or injured wildlife and people should avoid handling Flying-foxes or coming into close contact with them. If you do see an injured or dead Flying-fox, call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 and your call will be directed to an authorised wildlife carer.
Is there a health risk to my dog or cat if it catches a Flying-fox?
Occasionally, cats and dogs catch Flying-foxes and some people have expressed concern that their pet could contract Lyssavirus. No cat or dog has ever been recorded as having contracted Lyssavirus from a Flying-fox. The best available evidence suggests that there is no need to vaccinate pets against Lyssavirus.
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