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Advice to Householders
Badgers numbers have increased, especially in urban areas, and they can sometimes cause damage to gardens, property and amenity areas. In urban situations, where a number of adjoining properties may be affected, solving a badger problem may require discussion and co-operation between neighbours.
Badgers and the Law
Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which makes it illegal to kill, injure or take badgers or to interfere with a badger sett. Interference with a sett includes blocking tunnels or damaging the sett in any way.
Damage
Badgers are an adaptable species and are good at exploiting the range of foods available in urban areas especially if food is specifically put out for them by householders. They do however, eat invertebrates and may dig shallow pits in lawns when foraging. This is often what brings badgers into conflict with householders. Earthworms are mostly taken from the surface of the ground, but during dry conditions, damage to the turf can occur. The presence of insect larvae such as cockchafers and crane-fly can also damage a lawn and may also attract badgers. Rooting by badgers to feed on these larvae can make an existing problem worse. This kind of damage is usually short-lived and likely to be more pronounced in late Autumn and early Spring.
Additional problems can be experienced when badger latrines (dung pits), used to mark the boundaries of territories, are sited in gardens.
Prevention of Damage
Some problems caused by badgers can be solved easily e.g. bins can be fitted with a clip-on lid or expanding "bungie" straps to secure the lid.
Alternative Remedies
Lawn damage is caused when badgers are attracted by the presence of turf pests. Pesticides to eradicate these turf pests may alleviate the problem but the effects on other beneficial pests should be considered. An alternative solution may be to lay wire netting beneath the soil to prevent badgers digging for grubs or flower bulbs.
Further Information
In England, further advice on dealing with badger problems can be obtained from the |Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) website where a range of leaflets on wildlife topics is available online. Alternatively telephone DEFRA on: 0845 601 4523
If you require any further assistance please contact:
| Related Pages: |
| Badgers |Badgers and Setts (A - Z ) |