Pests

severnmiles

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 November 2005
Messages
10,261
Visit site
Now I can sort the foxes but how can I deter badgers seeing as it is illegal to kill them?

I have lost 5 bales of haylage (winter costs got upto £20.00 a bale - although we made this) to fox and badger 5hit! The summer stuff was superb but this second cut is ruined, not only that the only way to get the smell off of my hands is bleach - not great for my skin. :mad:
 

endymion

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 October 2005
Messages
657
Location
Londinium
Visit site
I do know about badgers...

Badgers scent mark at latrines so if they are sh*tting on your hay on a regular basis then this means that it has been designated an official badger bathroom and they will use it continually (also have you noticed any trails of hay? They probably have been stealing small amounts as bedding for their cubs early in the year). They usually use latrines as territory boundaries so your barn many be the end of one groups area and the start of anothers which will will make it VERY difficult to get them to stop.

However, badgers only usually go to the toilet on flat ground, they are flat bodied animals and as such can't sh*t on high structures so are you sure its defo badgers??

Don't you have a guard dog? They uasually won't go anywhere near dogs.
 

severnmiles

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 November 2005
Messages
10,261
Visit site
Its actually when we make hay (last Oct was the second cut), then its baled and one little poop ruins the whole bale. I know its a toilet up there for them because in the top wood there's lots of little dug up holes (they dig and poop in a hole like a cat don't they). I don't mind them 5hitting up there but when I lose 5 weeks worth of feed I do mind :mad: Anything that may deter them? Bar chaining the wolfdogs up there :smirk:
 

endymion

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 October 2005
Messages
657
Location
Londinium
Visit site
It's gonna be really tough, badgers choose certain areas specfically as latrines and they have a lot of significance in badger culture, some latrines are quite historic and last over many years.

If it is particularly foul smelling it does suggest that it could be a territory boundary as males will scent mark around it, particularly in the main breeding season in spring and the smaller season in autumn. October would coincide with the upsurge in mating behaviour later in the year. In addition you have something they love - bedding. They won't need as much now as cubs are coming above ground but will still take a bit now and then.

The wee holes are where they dig for earthworms and insects.

I know people have tried dog urine and facaes. You could er, hold a cup under your hound next time he goes and leave it around the problem area but I don't know how well it works.

I know a badger expert guy, I'll ask him for you but I can't think of anything to deter them.
 

soggy

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 December 2005
Messages
549
Visit site
Ask around some of your old farming/keepering contacts see if they have any Renadine.

PM sent re alternatives.
 

wrighty

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 March 2007
Messages
281
Location
Herefordshire
Visit site
As of 30 June 2005, the approval for the storage and use of Renardine 72-2 (MAFF 06769) was revoked. There is now no current UK approval for the sale, supply, advertisement, storage or use of Renardine 72-2.
 
Top