Badgers can usually be discouraged or prevented from entering gardens with solid, effective fencing and locked gates. A badger-proof wire mesh, buried to a depth of 1m (3ft) may prevent them digging under fences. The bottom 30cm (12in) should be bent outwards to stop the badgers burrowing underneath.
Are badgers a problem in the garden?
Badger Damage in the Garden
Badgers in the garden tend to dig up lawns to find insects and, occasionally, flower beds to eat bulbs or vegetable beds when other food is scarce. Because these animals are creatures of habit, it can be very difficult to control them.
Why are there badgers in my garden?
Almost invariably badgers will enter gardens in search of food. Badgers are normally nocturnal so garden visits are generally unseen during the night, unless the badgers’ sett is nearby when the animals may visit early in the evening.
Can I remove a badger set from my garden?
Badgers and their setts (tunnels and chambers where they live) are protected by law. You may be able to get a licence from Natural England if you can’t avoid disturbing badgers in their sett or damaging their sett.
What do I do if I have badgers in my garden? – Related Questions
How do I stop badgers from destroying my garden?
Scotch Bonnet Chilli Peppers – scatter crushed scotch bonnet chilli peppers around the garden, especially near entrances. Badgers will sense that the substance is irritating to their noses and will turn away. Citronella Oil – badgers really dislike the smell of citronella.
What damage do badgers do to gardens?
In gardens they may damage fences, dig up lawns for insect larvae (particularly leatherjackets), or turn over dustbins. Badgers also use latrines to mark their territories, and these may be dug in lawns or flowerbeds. A latrine consists of several pits about 15 centimetres deep, some of which will contain faeces.
What happens if you destroy a badgers sett?
Badgers and badger setts (burrows) are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, in England and Wales. The law is different in Scotland. It is an offence to: Wilfully kill, injure or take a badger (or attempt to do so)
What do you do if you find a badger sett?
If you do find a badger sett, a telephone call to your local Badger Group (or the Badger Trust) would not go amiss. You might have discovered a new sett that they can help protect or monitor; and they may be able to use the information to prevent or mitigate the effects of any undesirable developments.
Do you have to report a badger sett?
We’d also urge anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity out in the countryside or who comes across a badger sett that has been tampered with (which is also illegal) to contact the RSPCA by calling 0300 1234 999, or seek out your local rural crime team.
Are inactive badger setts protected?
Badgers and their setts (tunnels and chambers where they live) are protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
How do I get rid of badgers in my garden UK?
Deterring badgers from your garden
The most humane and long-term solution to discourage badgers is to remove or stop access to whatever it is that’s attracting them, whether this is food or shelter. However, do bear in mind that badgers and their setts are protected by law.
What time do badgers come out at night?
On average, badgers leave their setts at 7 p.m. and return around 4 a.m. for nocturnal foraging They are most active between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m., so their daily activities average eight hours of their day.
How do you get rid of a badger set?
8 Best Ways To Get Rid Of Badgers In Your Garden
- Construct a wire mesh fence. Attasit saentep/Shutterstock.
- Purchase and install solar lights.
- Spray male urine.
- Keep your garden clean.
- Use natural scents as repellents.
- Contact your local badger control specialist.
- Get garden scarers.
- Install motion sensor lights.
How do I know if I have a badger in my garden?
Badgers find food where they can. Often unseen and unheard, they wander quietly into gardens at night feeding on the earthworms, grubs, snails and slugs they find in lawns and borders. They usually leave small visual signs, a snuffle hole, pieces of scratched turf, as visual evidence of their nighttime visit.
What do badgers eat in the garden?
What they eat: Earthworms, frogs, small mammals, birds, eggs, lizards, insects, bulbs, seeds and berries.
Is it legal to shoot badgers?
Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (the ’92 Act), which makes it an offence to kill or take a badger, except under licence.
Are badgers vicious?
Defences. Badgers are usually wary of humans. In most cases, a badgers’ first reaction to danger is to escape into the nearest sett . If cornered, individual animals may be more aggressive.
Can badgers hurt dogs?
Badgers are fierce animals and will protect themselves and their young at all costs. Badgers are capable of fighting off much larger animals such as dogs.