Badger proofing garden

[RufusTheReindeer]

Need to badger proof our back garden

We have been here 13 years and have never had a problem before, not sure why it's starting now

Normal 6ft wood panelled fences. Just had a quick look at some websites and they all use mesh fencing that is partially buried

Have anyone experienced this? Or have any ideas on how we can reasonably badger proof the garden with out digging everything up

[SoupDragon]

I don't think my parents have done anything special to their fencing. They check it regularly to ensure there have been no "break ins".

The did have to have the sett ringed with armoured mesh and have one way doors out on it to evict the resident badgers (all done with permits from defra) but that's not going to be an issue if you don't have a set.

[RufusTheReindeer]

Thanks soup

Just seems to be every few days

Bloody tortoise sees the hole and goes "yippee"

[SoupDragon]

At least you can catch a tortoise... I have an escaping spaniel :)

Are they tunnelling under or bashing through?

[RufusTheReindeer]

You'd be surprised, he had made it through two gardens

We didn't even know he was missing til the woman who owned the house knocked to see if we knew anyone who had lost a tortoise

They are tunnelling under, small mercies

[SoupDragon]

:)

I think to prevent them tunnelling will require you to dig down and bury some kind of wire mesh.

[SoupDragon]

My spaniel has never (yet!) escaped from my parents' garden but I think all they do is check regularly for holes by walking round the garden.

[RufusTheReindeer]

I think you are right re fencing, it's certainly what I've seen online

The hole only appeared last night

I don't want to be fence monitor

[SoupDragon]

I will phone my parents later today and see what they did.

When they get in, do they dig up your lawn? If so, it may be that they are keen to come in because there's a particular bug thing living in your lawn that they like. IIRC, you can treat your lawn for this which makes it less attractive to the Badgers. Next door but one did this.

[bowsaw]

they are quite good climbers for their size, so avoid a surface they can climb

they also love peanuts, so stop putting them out for the birds if you do currently