The children are back at school from the summer holiday and the days are getting shorter so we know winter is coming. The days getting shorter act as a signal to badgers that it is time to put on as much fat as they can so they can survive the lean winter months. Badgers do not hibernate but they do become less active which means they still burn off a lot of calories during the winter hence the need to put on at this time of year.
The need for extra food leads the badgers to go to areas that they do not normally visit which includes people’s gardens. This period does not normally last that long but exactly how long depends on many factors such as other food availability and the weather conditions. The chance to see these amazing creatures up close is a thrill that makes any damage a small price to pay with many people using wildlife and security cameras to record their nightly activities. For others it can be upsetting to see holes dug in their garden for however a short a period it lasts.
Where the digging is a problem what can you do to reduce it? Badgers are strong intelligent creatures that, like humans, have their favourite foods so where this seasonal digging is a problem the best thing you can do is to avoid growing foods that attract your local badgers. In dry weather avoid watering your law as this brings worms to the surface which attracts badgers as worms are their favourite food. Digging in the lawn could also be a sign that there are grubs of some kind in the grass roots. Do not use blood fish and bone fertilizer as this attracts badgers. For other information on ways to reduce the damage in your garden see our leaflet Badgers in your Garden
— Alex Hills