SPENCER, N.C. -- A Spencer neighborhood is being overrun by bats, as every spring and summer, the animals settle into houses on Yadkin Avenue. One house was even condemned because it was so bad.

Neighbors want to have the bats removed but can’t due to federal regulations. For one resident who wished to keep his identity hidden as to not draw any more attention to him or his tenants, over 100 bats are up in his attic.

For 20 years the man -- who went by Dale in his interview -- and the bats have lived together, whether he liked it or not. Like clock work, as soon as the sun dips down, the bats crawl through every hole they can find and fly into action.

“Nobody likes them, including me,” said the man who sits on his porch and watches them leave.

Neighbors have taken steps to plug holes in their own roofs so the creatures can’t get in. One neighbor found a dead bat outside near her son’s toys. She called the town leaders to take action, but Town Manager Larry Smith says his hands are tied.

"We found out that the state can't regulate bats,” he said. “They are federally regulated from May 1 to July 31."

Dale tried to have the bats removed, but says it’s too expensive. He says unless someone steps in and helps or kicks him out of the house the bats are there to stay.