Residents fed up with bats at Orange County apartment complex

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Residents at an Orange County apartment complex contacted Channel 9 after they said they've been dealing with a bat infestation for months.

The bats come out as soon as the sun sets at the Village TownHomes on Scenic Lake Drive, according to residents who live there.

"We get anywhere from 30-60 just dive-bombing us at night, unless you turn on the outside light," said resident Iris Badillo.

Residents said you can smell part of the problem as soon as you step outside.

"Their feces leave an odor," Badillo said.

In addition to dealing with the smell, some tenants said they have trouble sleeping at night because the bats make noise in the attic.

Resident Marcos Calderon said he's dealt with the bat problem for four months and the odor from the guano is so bad, it forced his 9-year-old daughter to sleep downstairs, where she once found a bat on the couch.

"I saw the bat right here and I said, 'Whoa,'" Calderon said.

Residents said they were told by complex management that the bats are protected by a state law that allows them to breed during this time of year. But employees at the leasing office wouldn't talk to Eyewitness News on Monday, so it's unclear if the bat problem will be taken care of.

"Get them out, find them a place. Take them out of our attics," Badillo said.

WFTV