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Damage to Greens and Fairways

The problem: A large part of the badger's diet in much of Britain and western Europe consists of earthworms and grubs which they find in areas of short turf such as cattle pastures. In dry conditions during the summer, or in hard weather in winter, badgers may turn to greens and fairways as substitute pastures, and excavate numerous small holes in them as they dig for earthworms, leatherjackets, cockchafer grubs or other insect larvae. Sometimes the damage can be quite serious, with lengths of turf rolled back like carpets and left looking like giant brown and green Swiss rolls.

Possible solutions: In the past, strong-smelling chemical deterrents could be used to persuade the badgers to keep away. However, there are no longer any such deterrents which can be legally sold or used in Britain. [More info.]

A more promising solution for both bowling greens and golf courses is the use of vermicides and/or insecticides. These will destroy the earthworms and insect larvae living underneath the turf. With the food supply gone, the badgers should no longer have any reason to dig up the turf. [More info.]

Another possible solution, which is really only practicable for bowling greens, is the erection of an electric fence around the area of the green during those periods when badger damage is at its worst. Set up in the correct way, electric fences usually prove to be an effective barrier. [More info.]

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References

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Picture credits

The Eurasian badger photo used at the head of this Article is © Steve Jackson. Credits for the photos used in the right-hand margin of this page for site navigation can be found on the Credits page.

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