Past Dispersal Actions

Charters Towers Regional Council has tried a variety of different activities over the last 17 years to disperse the bats. Below is a list of activities that have been used with varying degrees of success, but ultimately none have worked.

Noise

  • Ultrasonics – both directional and omnidirectional
  • Dog Whistle
  • Air horns, Vuvuzela horns, horns from cars, prime movers
  • Train whistle from steam train
  • Birdfrite – 12 gauge shot gun
  • Harley Davidson bikes
  • Movers, chainsaws, brush cutters
  • Police Sirens
  • CD recordings of happy colony
  • CD recording of distressed colony

Firearms/Fireworks

  • Birdfrite – 12 gauge shot gun
  • Compressed salt – 12 gauge shot gun
  • “22” – rubber bullets
  • Paint ball guns
  • Fireworks

Light

  • Flashing Lights
  • Strobe lights
  • Spot lights
  • Movement activated lights
  • Car/truck lights

Water

  • Fire trucks
  • Fire hydrant
  • Water hoses
  • Hoses
  • Ground sprinkler systems
  • Tree sprinkler systems
  • Wobbler sprinkler system

Animals/Bugs/Kites

  • Helium balloons
  • Powered balloon man
  • Various kites
  • Trained eagles
  • Green ants
  • Rubber and plastic snakes

Smoke/Misting

  • Fogging device
  • Misting device
  • Hickory wood smoke

Other

  • Chilli wax
  • Vibrating plucking mower against a tree
  • Repellent
  • Camphor – Moth & silverfish repellent
  • Canopy modification
  • Tree removal
  • Reflective type tapes
  • Helicopter