Electric Fencing for Badgers

Protecting your gardens against badgers 

Badgers are well-known for digging up lawns, golf greens and bowling greens to get to worms and grubs, as well as deciding that your garden makes an ideal latrine. Find out our badger deterrents from ultrasonic badger detterents as well as electric fences. 

Electric netting fence

The two main types of electric fencing that work for badgers are electrified poultry (or rabbit) netting or a multi-strand wire system; in the case of badgers, four fence lines close to the ground are sufficient. On first setting up an electric fence to keep badgers away, it is important that the fence is used 24-hours a day. Some energisers have the ability to reduce power after dark so, if you have one of these energisers, make sure that the night-time setting is switched off. The reason for this is obvious, since badgers are primarily nocturnal. Badgers are known as fervent diggers, therefore a underground barrier, such as a buried mesh, can help if you notice dug up holes around the fence. This underground barrier should extend at least 12-18 inches (30-45cm) below the surface to effectively deter burrowing.

Badgers are creatures of habit and very inquisitive, so they will almost definititely investigate the new badger fence within the first 24-48 hours. Over the first 2-3 weeks, badgers will repeatedly investigate the electric fence, looking for ways to get through or around. During this time, they will receive a number of electric shocks and, eventually, they will abandon the territory or access route in favour of somewhere less painful. If you should find that the badgers are not investigating the fence line, or you would just like to make sure, you can 'bait' the fence using meat, jam or peanut butter to encourage the animal(s) to take a closer look.

Ultrasonic badger deterrents

Or consider using ultrasonic devices that emit high-frequency sound waves that are unpleasant to badgers, deterring them from entering the area. A great product for this is the Pest-Free PLUS - Dual Light and Ultrasonic Deterrent. It features two LED lights, which are triggered along with the sound. These lights give the badger the impression that they are being watched by another animal. 

Contact us at [email protected] if you need any help with electric fencing for badgers.