How to deter badgers?

Badger them to go away? (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

I have badgers and foxes visit nightly and no damage has ever been done in my lovely garden. Why?

Because I feed them. They dispose of all food scraps including chicken carcasses and bones, one of our badgers is particularly fond of out of date yoghurt. If we have no scraps they are supplemented with cheap dog food.

Three cheers for Socks for enjoying her local wildlife! I’m envious of her having such beautiful visitors.

I know badgers can be a problem but I love the comment....“they are probably teenage badgers” ? I imagine them having an illicit fag down the garden and playing computer games in jeans and hoodies ? Come back Wind in the Willows ..... btw our Spanish friends call them Bodgers - much better name!

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We too love our badgers! We have badgers, foxes, deer (and cats) all visiting our garden every night - sometimes all together!
We've found men's urine doesn't work - but we've found putting cheap dried dog food down in an area where you don't mind them digging up has solved the problem for us. I must admit I'd rather have the badgers and foxes than a perfect lawn anyway.

They are also one of the biggest killers of hedgehogs I believe

Well, who'd have thought the prickly hedgehog could have a predator like that!

We used to see badgers crossing gardens and the road just outside but unfortunately houses were built where they used to live so we haven't seen any for years.

I think the wire mesh to stop them tunnelling would be a good idea, annodomini . It might be difficult but worth it if you do want a garden with any plants.

TerriBull Fri 04-Sep-20 12:00:16

We were caravanning in Devon a few years ago and were told that there were badgers who came out at night at the back of the campsite. I must say it was a magical moment watching them.

Yes, I do know, silvercollie, coming from a farming background, but the jury is still out on this. Perhaps it has been handled badly by humans.

Mamma love that especially since I have human teenager of my own. Kind of think why shouldn't they play.

Badgers can tear open a hen house and kill every single hen. They don't just take one to eat. They are vicious and anyone who leaves food out for them should be vary careful as they might find themselves on the wrong side of the teeth and claws.

Badgers will not kill every single hen. They could break in take one or two if they are desperately hungry.

It would probably be a fox if all hens are killed and only one taken for food.

They may eat the eggs, though.

Beautiful photos sparkly1000 & Lewie. How I envy you having all that beautiful wildlife in your garden. Couldn’t agree with you more quizqueen!!

Also in agreement, quizqueen - I've been thinking like that for a long time. ?