Badgers have become somewhat divisive in recent times in the UK. Previously protected by conservationists, they have more recently been blamed for an outbreak of Bovine TB and hunted in a controversial cull. More recently the government has acknowledged the limited impact of culling and look towards a better long-term solution, such as cattle and badger vaccination.
The Problem
If you don’t own cattle, you may not give badgers much of a thought. However, these bumbling Black & White ninjas have a voracious appetite and can sniff out all the things they love to eat from some distance away. As omnivores, almost nothing is off-limits to them; from insects, worms, grubs and larvae to fruits and vegetables. If you awake one morning to find fresh chunks of your precious lawn strewn about the place, you may have a problem which goes way beyond the badger who dug those holes. It is highly likely that the damage has been caused by the badger (or badgers) digging in search of Chafer Grubs, which if true will be providing a whole new set of problems for you. The damage the badger caused overnight, which may resemble a war zone in no time at all, is just the tip of the iceberg. Please see our page dedicated to the menace of Chafer Grubs.
Repair work
If smaller chunks have been lifted, these can sometimes be patted back into place and can recover with few issues.
Larger holes may need to be filled in if the soil has been distributed over the lawn from the digging. Again, it may be possible to pat the surface grass back into place, but otherwise the area can be raked and roughed to provide a surface tilth before applying lawn seed or new turf. Keep the area well-watered until the seed has germinated.
Deterrents
If you are having recurring visits by a badger, people have reported varying success rates with the methods below. You may end up having to rotate a selection of the countermeasures to stay one step ahead or change things up occasionally, so they do not become accustomed.
1. Lion Dung
Like other territorial animals, the scent of a larger predator can be discouraging. Lion dung can now be purchased online, usually in pellet form, and sprinkling around the boundaries of lawns has shown effectiveness in deterring badgers.
2. Human Male Urine
Like the above method, this again involves using scent to establish marking of territory. The theory is that as territorial animals themselves, badgers will be put off by the scent of another male’s domain. Dilute the urine in a 1:4 ratio and use either a watering can or spray gun to maintain discretion and not disgust your neighbours! Application will need repeating every few weeks so make sure your ‘donor’ is happy to keep you supplied!
3. Motion Lights
Like most nocturnal visitors to your garden, badgers can be easily startled into leaving in a hurry. Motion-sensitive security lights can be a successful deterrent but do make sure the beams are pointed in directions which will not upset your neighbours. If you have a recurring badger visitor, they may also become accustomed to the lights after a while, so if you have moveable ones that can be put into different positions, it can help you stay one step ahead.
4. Chilli peppers
Given their poor eyesight, badgers rely on sense of smell. By chopping scotch bonnet chillies finely and scattering over entry points to the lawn, this can discourage them from venturing much farther into your garden.
5. Tackle any pest issues
Consider the application of nematodes to reduce risks of grubs in the lawn. The grubs themselves cause more havoc than a few badger holes, so applying as a preventative measure around April/May or September/October can reduce your risks of an infestation. See our page on chafer grubs for further information.