What to do with a badger?!

[Catso]

Anyone know the legal situation as regards a badger sett in one's shed?

One (or more) seem to have set up home in one of my dad's sheds. The shed isn't used regularly, hence they've had opportunity. They burrowed in and seem to be living behind a pile of old junk. There's a huge plume of earth and stuff they've moved by their entrance.

It could be a fox, I suppose, does anyone know how to tell the difference between fox den and badger set?

Whilst I've nothing against badgers, they can be rather vicious things and we're rather wary of going in the shed now. So I'd prefer them to live elsewhere. Can we get them thrown out? Who'd do it?

[SaxyJag]

They are fully protected, as you probably know, but there's some useful information and links here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/south/series7/b adgers.shtml

[doglady]

A fox den will stink of fox!! Badger setts are D shaped at the opening, and you'll find dry leaves outside where they clear their bedding out.

I don't think you're allowed to do anything, I'm afraid.

[earthakitten]

Hi Catso ...You could try the local council to see if there is a protection group near by. They would be able to advise you. I know there is a protection group in Northamptonshire if that's any help. If you want, I can try and find out the address and matbe they have links to one in your area! Right to be wary of them but how wonderful ! ditto doglady ...if it were foxes I think you would have smelt them. Have you tried e-mailing that Spring Watch ? thing with Bill Oddie that was on the telly recently, I'm sure they had a web site .Good luck. xx

[Catso]

It doesn't seem to smell, so it's badgers, then.

Earthakitten: wonderful in one sense, yes, but how would like to be unable to use your shed, or - presumably - move anything in it because it might disturb the (protected) badgers?

Yes, I do like badgers, but there's a place for them, and I'd rather it wasn't our shed.

[earthakitten]

point taken Catso ! ... I suppose what I really meant was perhaps a badger group would be able to help you discourage them in the future or re-locate them. With the ammount of building that goes on these days somebody must have come across this before. I'm not being much help am I !!!!!!!. Oh perhaps your local vets can put you in touch with someone. I'm sending you round in circles now, so this kitten will shut up...Good luck...let us know if you sort anything. xx

[Catso]

I've contacted the group mentioned in the first reply for advice.

Their site says you can evict badgers, but you need to have agood reason and get a 'licence' to do it.

It's not so bad if it were just one, but once they get going, their setts become huge constructions. There's loads around us.

[pappasmurf]

Start charging hunters to come and do a spot of badger baiting.

[Catso]

I wouldn't want to do that - I don't dislike them, I just don't want them in the shed.

The badger group wasn't very helpful - just pointed out that badgers and their setts are protected by law. Thanks - not!