If this happens or badgers start to excavate a sett in your garden, contact your local badger group or Badger Trust for advice. Food placed for other animals and birds, particularly peanuts , will attract badgers. To avoid this, food should only be placed in the garden during daylight and not left out overnight.
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.
How do I get rid of badger sett in my garden?
- Scotch Bonnet Chilli Peppers – scatter crushed scotch bonnet chilli peppers around the garden, especially near entrances. ...
- Citronella Oil – badgers really dislike the smell of citronella. ...
- Male Urine – not the most desirable repellent to use, but it does work.
Is it illegal to disturb a badger sett?
Sett interference
Under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, it is an offence to damage, destroy or block access to a badger sett , or to disturb badgers in their setts. Sett disturbance is the most reported criminal act to the Badger Trust.
When can you close a badger sett?
This work must be done under licence. Licences to exclude badgers and to close down or destroy a sett are only issued between 1 July and 30 November , other than in exceptional circumstances.
What smells do badgers hate?
The main reason a badger may visit your garden is to look for food. Badgers dislike the smell of Scotch bonnet peppers and citronella oil .
How do you get rid of badgers legally?
Many recommend deeply set metal fences that prevent the animal from digging under. Electric fencing is also another option but this can be costly and harm domestic pets and other wildlife. Nuisance badgers that invade your kitchen compost bin or garbage can are easily controlled by securing lids with bungee cords.
Can you fill in a badger sett?
Badgers are protected and so are the setts (burrows) they live in. Under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, in England and Wales (the law is different in Scotland) it is an offence to: ... Intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy a badger sett, or obstruct access to it. Cause a dog to enter a badger sett.
Is it rare to see a badger?
Most people have seen a dead badger on the roadside but it is not surprising that so many of us have never watched a badger in the wild . ... Watching badgers has never been so easy because despite attempted culls, the UK badger population has increased by 76% over the past 16 years.
What happens if you see a badger?
If you find a badger either in unnatural surroundings or above ground during daylight hours, they may be injured or unwell . Do not attempt to approach the animal, but seek expert help as soon as possible if you are concerned. Frightened animals may bite in self-defence.
How can you tell if a badger sett is active?
- Smooth polished sides around any entrance holes from repeated use;
- Sometimes evidence of fresh bedding, for example grass, near the sett entrance;
- Freshly excavated soil heaps around entrance holes;
- Evidence of runs radiating out from entrance holes;
Is a badger classed as vermin?
Letters: Badgers will be treated as vermin .
Are foxes protected by law?
Foxes are protected under a series of wildlife protection laws against poisoning, gassing, asphyxiating, maiming, stabbing, impaling, drowning, clubbing and most forms of snaring, with anyone convicted of carrying out such acts liable to 6 months imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine per animal.
How long do badger setts last?
Badgers setts
Such elaborate setts can take many years to create and are passed down through generations – some setts can be more than 100 years old .
Do badgers have more than one sett?
Badger setts
Badgers live in a system of interconnected tunnels and chambers called a sett. Every badger clan has one main sett , which is used for breeding and is usually relatively large. Well-established setts have been excavated by several generations of badgers, with some setts known to be occupied for centuries.
How long are badger surveys valid for?
Survey information is often considered valid for 12-24 months depending on the species, site and potential impact.
