Obviously tired of playing the long game by digging randomly across my local routes, the little buggers have upped their efforts and moved into my garden. Whilst I'm obviously very happy to see a native species thriving I can't help but think a bit of (literal) NIMBYism might be best for all concerned.
I've tried Wildlife (badger as logo) Trust who directed me towards a local badger group, who in turn said I needed to speak to the RSPCA given their protected status; but after what felt like hours on hold thought I'd try you lot in advance of trying them again in case anyone has any good advice.........
Varnish your bench?
I thought it would be either the shed or birdbox that got the first comment, but yes that is on the to-do list too
Mushroom! Mushroom!
Anal rubbing. Badgers like that.
Maybe you could get 'Bad Cat Badger Murdering man' to do a regular drive by.Sorted
Jesus H Corbett man, the lawn!
I thought Badgers had better taste.
I have found that either peeing in the garden or scattering chopped chili on the lawn helped to dissuade our badger.
Don't try and combine the two suggestions, though, for obvious reasons.
I'll agree that East Anglian low rainfall and two kids don't seem to do a great deal for the lawn, but on the plus side the hedges have several nests of baby robins to keep us on-brand
can't actually see what the badgers might have done in that, maybe they're trying to help you? do you have a ford granada on bricks in the front garden?
Badgers? Awesome! What was the problem again?
What problem are they causing? If only foraging then the peeing trick may work, if their sett or a satellite sett is in your garden they are legally protected...no disturbance. Throw some plain peanuts down, set up some cameras and enjoy the snuffly show.
Feel your pain.... https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/badger-2/
Blocked off his entrance/exit to the garden which we thought had worked, then a month later he's back and digging out the same spot.
Filled back in again with additional house bricks, haven't seen it since.
Maybe a different scenario to yours though, there's nothing living there he just pops back occasionally and uses it as a toilet.
Bubs & Zilog - not saying there is a problem; as has been picked up our garden is more recreational than decorative space so not unduly worried about their snuffling around, but more wondering if a domestic garden with kids likely to be clattering around more as we get to summer hols is going to be an ideal home for them. But also if there would be any downside for us if they dig under the walls etc?
Thats why I want to speak to the RSPCA or hear from anyone else with any advice.......
OK well I've held a few licences to interfere with badger setts...
And that's what you would need, if there's a hole in your garden that the badger appears to be residing in and you want it gone - a licence from Natural England (the interfere with a sett - prevent damage one).
If it's just occasionally turning up and foraging in your garden and there isn't a sett, you can do your best to keep them out. But they can dig like anything, they can climb and they can barge their way through normal garden stuff. Badger exclusion fencing is tough, designed to be anti-climb and needs to be dug down and turned outwards under the ground, so it's no small undertaking.
If you want to close a sett, you'll need to engage someone who can show they have experience and generally have held (or been named on) licences previously, to fill out the forms for or with you. You'll also need to supply a Method Statement which will need to explain the context of the sett (so wider surveys might be needed) and you'll need to justify why the damage being caused means the work is necessary.
Essentially, it can work out quite expensive to go that route.
On the positive side, badger clans have a "main" sett and a range of lesser-used setts around that. Some are individual outlier setts and these tend to be used infrequently and for short periods, like when young animals are dispersing or during mating. So it is unlikely that if you have a small individual sett entrance that your badger is there to stay full time permanently, although I'd expect them to pop by and forage around.
You can put a camera trap out and monitor the sett and any accesses, which can help you to work out what they are up to. I'd be more concerned if more and more sett entrances started appearing in a larger "complex".
Badgers make me think of mushrooms. And snakes.
Badgers make me think of mushrooms. And snakes.
They used to make me see mushrooms too but not any more. Now when I see things they're often in disguise as handbags or cheese.
The neighbours blocked off the entrance (which was also its exit) to our garden.
I didn't mind them. Was great when the mummy brought her 2 cubs in once, I didn't even mind them playing all over my flower beds.
they are brilliant animals, you are lucky to have them, enjoy!
First rule of badgers...
Have you thought about becoming a farmer? Farmers have full entitlement to kill anything that moves for both economic or pleasure reasons. Anyone that says different is a townie who simply doesn't understand the countryside. This view is currently also endorsed by Defra.
I've never seen a live badger. Not in 55 years. 🙁
Have you tried to invite Kate Humble round yet?
Also badgers love mash potato
They've done most of the digging, so finish that berm off!
Get them trained right and you could have a nice little pump track for minimal effort.
FAO: Claudio from Velosolutions and a badger have never been seen in the same room together. Makes you think...
This view is currently also endorsed by Defra.
Don't let the farmers hear you say they agree with Defra. There'll be more than badgers getting bludgeoned to death.
Has it been mentioned yet that Pimlico is the only tube station that doesn't contain a letter from the word 'badger'?
Now on Wiki looking at tube station names ....
Have you tried to invite Kate Humble round yet?
Many times. Not since the injunction though.
Have you tried to invite Kate Humble round yet?
I was going to give them another night or two to see if they unearth any bones and ask if Alice Roberts was interested
by way of a badger update, it seems we're now just playing host to one permanent resident (unless they're taking it in turns to snaffle the peanuts we've put out)
I’d love a badger to move in to our garden
^^ The thing about badgers is you seldom get one as they come in setts.
More badger 😀
Looking at the O.p's pic. ,the badger is obviously protesting about the state of the brown fence panel/shed. Not to mention the other detritus laying around!
they are brilliant animals, you are lucky to have them, enjoy!
I’ve got hedgehogs, for which I’m eternally grateful - the holes under the fence are so very much smaller!
Plus they don’t burrow.
However, the amount it’s costing me to feed the little buggers is not inconsiderable, at least badgers really only go for peanuts, I’m having to buy extra suet pellets and mealworms over and above what I buy for the birds, plus kitty kibbles and dog food!
I started with one ‘hog, I had four around the other evening!
Trouble with badgers is not a black and white issue.
I'd like a badger, just to keep the ****in cats away !
(I assume that badgers are their only natural predator, other than the Volvo V60)
I’ve got hedgehogs, for which I’m eternally grateful – the holes under the fence are so very much smaller!
Plus they don’t burrow.
The ones around here are constantly asking me to lend them a fiver for tabs and scratchcards.