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Introduction

This page outlines possible solutions to some of the problems occasionally caused by badger setts. The information given is only a brief guide; it is not my intention to try to provide all the information that people will need to deal with every problem. I am aiming instead to provide enough information for people to know that there are solutions, and what their options are in broad terms, should they experience problems caused by badger setts. This is because every problem is different and needs to be considered as an individual case. It is therefore important to seek advice should you experience any problems with badgers.

In Britain, local Badger Groups may be able to provide such advice (contact details available from the website of the Badger Trust). In England, DEFRA's National Wildlife Management Team (part of the Department's Rural Development Service) is another good source of information - check out their badger web page (opens in a new browser window).

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Preventing the expansion of setts

One method that has been suggested for preventing the expansion of setts from hedgerows out into fields or in other situations, is to dig a trench alongside the sett to a depth of 2 metres (6 ft 6 ins), and place strong chain link or weld mesh fencing into the trench before backfilling it. Such work would inevitably mean some disturbance to the occupants of the sett, and the possibility of tunnels being exposed during the digging, so in Britain, this work would require a licence from the relevant national agricultural department.

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Excavating and backfilling parts of setts

In the case of setts which cause problems by extending from hedgerows out into fields, the problem tunnels could be excavated and backfilled. In Britain, this work would require a licence from the relevant national agricultural department.

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Excluding badgers and destroying setts

In extreme situations, where the presence of a sett is causing a serious problem (e.g. it is dug under a house, under a road or in a reservoir dam or canal bank), there may be no alternative but to excavate and destroy the whole sett. The badgers should be excluded from the sett first, once it is certain that they have another sett to move into. This work is best undertaken by persons experienced in badger work. In Britain it can only be carried out under a licence issued by the relevant national agricultural department.

The destruction of the sett is not necessarily the end of the story. Badgers are determined animals, and may well try to re-establish their sett in the same spot (this has happened on numerous occasions). Therefore, once the sett has been destroyed and backfilled, it will be necessary to undertake measures to prevent badgers from digging at the site again. This can be achieved by firmly staking strong chain link fencing over the whole area. The chain link will need to cover an area larger than the original sett, as the badgers may simply dig their holes around the edges, and tunnel into the original site of their sett from there.

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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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