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August 19, 2025

How to Prevent Badger Problems

Badgers are a valued part of the UK’s wildlife, protected by law and admired for their distinctive black-and-white markings and nocturnal behaviour. However, their presence can sometimes create challenges when they dig near homes, gardens, or commercial properties. If you’ve noticed signs of digging, disturbed lawns, or tunnels, you may be wondering what you can do.

At Vergo Pest Management, we specialise in legal and humane badger control. But prevention is always better than cure – and the good news is, there are several steps you can take to deter badgers before they become a problem.

Why Do Badgers Come Onto Your Property?

Badgers are typically drawn to spaces that offer:

  • Easy access to food (like worms, fruit, compost, or pet food)
  • Quiet areas for digging, especially with loose soil or turf
  • Shelter beneath sheds, decking, or overgrown hedgerows

Once settled, badgers may create extensive tunnel systems called setts, which can disrupt landscaping, weaken building foundations, and pose risks to pets and other wildlife.

Badger control

How to Prevent Badger Problems

Here are our top recommendations to help discourage badgers from setting up home on your property:

Secure Food Sources – Badgers have a strong sense of smell and will return regularly to a reliable food source.

  • Keep outdoor bins tightly sealed.
  • Cover compost heaps and avoid putting out food scraps.
  • Remove fallen fruit and clear away bird feed overnight.

Protect Your Garden -Badgers dig in search of grubs and worms, especially in soft lawns or flowerbeds.

  • Place sturdy mesh just beneath the surface of your turf or vegetable beds.
  • Use motion-activated lighting or sprinklers to interrupt their night time visits.

Block Access to Quiet Spaces – Check under decking, sheds, and garden buildings regularly.

  • If no animals are present, seal off potential access points with paving slabs or steel mesh.
  • Don’t disturb a sett or any area where badgers are active – this is illegal without a licence.

Install Badger-Proof Fencing -If you’re in a high-risk area, fencing may be a long-term solution.

  • Fencing should be at least 1.25m high, and buried 30–50cm underground, bent outward in an “L” shape to prevent burrowing.
  • In agricultural areas, electric fencing can also be considered (with proper advice and approvals).

At Vergo, we install badger exclusion fencing to professional standards, ensuring it is both effective and compliant with wildlife protection laws, offering lasting protection for your property. For more information or advice get in touch with our wildlife experts.

Manage Vegetation – Badgers prefer quiet, shaded areas to dig and nest.

  • Keep grass and shrubbery trimmed.
  • Prune back hedgerows and regularly clear overgrowth that might offer shelter.

Know the Signs and Act Early – Watch for:

  • Small round holes in lawns or flowerbeds
  • Well-worn paths through grass or under fences
  • Latrines – shallow pits containing droppings used to mark territory

The earlier you spot badger activity, the easier it is to manage the situation lawfully and humanely, read more by visiting our Badger Control Services page.

Badger Legislation

Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. It is illegal to interfere with them including blocking entrances or attempting removal without the proper licence.

If you suspect a sett is present, do not attempt to disturb or relocate badgers yourself. This could not only harm the animals but also result in prosecution.

Need Help? Vergo Can Assist

When prevention isn’t enough, Vergo Pest Management offers a fully licensed badger control service that is:

  • Acts in accordance with UK wildlife law
  • Humane and non-lethal
  • Tailored to your property’s needs
  • Focused on long-term prevention to stop reoccurrence

From detailed site assessments to safe exclusion and prevention solutions, our team will work with you to protect your property while respecting the law and the animals involved.

Are you concerned about badgers on your property? Get in touch with Vergo today for trusted, professional help from our wildlife specialists. We offer expert advice at a competitive price, call us on 0344 335 0330 to book a consultation.

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