How to Install Badger-Proof Fencing

by Harvey Croft

2nd April 24

Badgers, while fascinating creatures, can pose a notoriously difficult challenge to agricultural land and property owners due to their digging habits and propensity to burrow under fences. Installing badger-proof fencing is essential to safeguarding your land from potential damage caused by these animals.

Only 15% of farms fence off badger setts and latrines (despite the culling of hundreds of thousands of badgers) and only 17% of farms ‘badger proof’ buildings and land.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of installing badger-proof fencing step by step, ensuring a secure barrier to exclude badgers while maintaining their safety and welfare.

Understanding Badger Behavior

Badgers, scientifically known as Meles meles, are fascinating creatures with distinctive behaviour patterns that influence their interactions with their environment, including fencing. 

Stocky, powerfully-built creatures, they typically weigh 10–12kg, with a body length of about 90cm. This makes them the biggest land predator in the UK. 

Here’s a closer look at why understanding badger behaviour is crucial for effective fencing solutions:

Burrowing Instincts

Badgers are renowned for their burrowing behaviour, which serves various purposes such as creating dens for shelter, rearing their young, and foraging for food. This natural instinct to dig can present a challenge for property owners, as badgers are known for burrowing underneath to access new territories or food sources.

Nocturnal Activity

Badgers are primarily nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active during the night. This nocturnal behaviour can impact fencing strategies, as it may be challenging to detect and deter badger activity during nighttime hours. Effective fencing solutions must account for this nocturnal behaviour to ensure continuous protection against badgers.

Territoriality

Badgers are territorial animals and establish set territories that they defend against intruders. Fencing can play a crucial role in delineating boundaries and preventing conflicts between badgers and property owners. By understanding badger territorial behaviour, property owners can design fencing solutions that respect these boundaries while effectively excluding badgers from unwanted areas.

Badgers can be a dangerous hazard to humans and should not be approached. If you see a badger in distress, you should contact a wildlife organisation who are experts at helping badgers.

Foraging Patterns

Badgers have omnivorous diets and forage for a variety of foods, including earthworms, insects, fruits, and small mammals. Understanding badger foraging patterns can inform fencing strategies, such as positioning fences to minimise disruption to foraging areas or incorporating deterrents to discourage badgers from accessing specific food sources.

Planning Your Badger-Proof Fencing

To start, assess your property for signs of badger activity and determine the appropriate type of badger fence installation needed. High tensile wire fencing is often recommended for its durability and effectiveness in deterring badgers, similar to deer fence installation. Gather necessary fencing equipment and tools, including high tensile wire, line wires, and intermediate posts, ensuring you have everything required for the installation process.

At County Fencing, we recommend our Tornado HT 15/158/8 galvanised steel high-tensile fencing specifically for badgers.

Why Choose Tornado HT 15/158/8 for Badger Fencing?

The Tornado HT 15/158/8 remains the top choice in the UK for badger fencing. This model is versatile, built to accommodate all maturities of badger.

Constructed from 2.5mm gauge, high tensile, heavily galvanised steel wire, the Tornado HT 15/158/8 offers an exceptional blend of strength, durability, and resistance to environmental elements. Its design ensures longevity, making it a cost-effective solution for protecting your crops, gardens, and livestock from badgers.

Preparing Your Property

Clear the area where the fencing will be installed, ensuring the ground is level and free from obstructions. Address any potential entry points or gaps that badgers could exploit. Proper preparation of the site is essential for ensuring the effectiveness and longevity of the badger-proof fencing.

Use County Fencing’s free fence perimeter calculator to accurately measure the perimeter of your new fence.

5 Steps to Installing Badger Fencing

Installing badger fencing correctly with the right materials and tools is the most effective way to stop badgers accessing your land. With the right upkeep and maintenance, badger fencing can be a permanent solution.

1. Knocking in Post Holes

Determine proper spacing for posts and use appropriate tools to knock them into the ground. Ensuring posts are straight and level is crucial for the stability and integrity of the fence.

2. Intermediate Fence Posts

Strategically place intermediate fence posts to reinforce the structure and prevent sagging. As you insert the posts, make sure they are level and oriented correctly.

3. Attaching the Fencing Material

Securely attach fencing material to posts, ensuring it is taut and properly aligned. Proper attachment techniques are vital for preventing badgers from burrowing underneath or damaging the fence. If you’re using high-tensile wire, staple it to the strainers and use tensioning tools to tighten it and clip it to size with fencing pliers.

4. Badger Gates

Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s assembly and installation instructions before installing a gate. Ensure that the gate is correctly positioned and securely secured to the posts.

5. Adding Deterrents

Consider incorporating additional deterrents such as mesh and vertical wires to further reinforce the fencing, or a ground skirt buried underground which will prevent badgers digging underneath the fence. Proper installation of these deterrents is essential for maximising their effectiveness while ensuring the safety of both badgers and other wildlife.

Considering an electric fence? Take a look at our Electric vs Non Electric Animal Fence guide.

Maintaining Your Badger Fence

Regular inspections are key to identifying any damage or wear and promptly addressing it. Make necessary repairs as needed to maintain the integrity of the fence. Adjust deterrence methods based on badger activity to ensure continued effectiveness in excluding them from your property.

Looking for Expert and Humane Badger Fencing?

Investing in badger-proof fencing is a proactive step towards safeguarding your property from the challenges posed by these elusive animals. By following the steps outlined in this guide and leveraging appropriate materials and techniques, you can create a secure barrier that effectively excludes badgers while maintaining their welfare.

Now is the time to take action and fortify your property against the potential damage caused by badgers. Whether you’re protecting a garden, farmland, or residential area, prioritising badger-proof fencing ensures peace of mind and harmony between humans and wildlife.

In the UK, County Fencing is a prominent supplier of specialised fencing, fencing equipment, and fencing installation services. We will be pleased to offer advice on any fencing needs you may have, with an emphasis on specialised applications and the best fencing equipment available.

We can advise on the application of badger fencing, deer fencing, fox fence installation and more.

Contact us today for a free quote or make use of our free perimeter calculator!

Badger Proof Fencing FAQs