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Badgers

InglezinhoInglezinho Posts: 568
in Problem solving
The last couple of nights, we have seen badgers in our garden. We know they are controversial, but also endangered. Should we encourage them by feeding or just leave them alone?
Everyone likes butterflies. Nobody likes caterpillars.

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I would just leave them alone.  There is plenty of food around for them right now, so they are not starving.  We had a set on the rental property we lived on in Surrey.. and they are fine if you have space for them to do their thing (although they gave me a good scare once or twice at night when walking the dog).. but I wouldn't want them taking up residence in my garden.  
    Utah, USA.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2020
    Leave them alone ... as with most wildlife, if you want them around,  creating and maintaining the right habitat is far better than just feeding them, which can create all sorts of imbalances. 
    Be aware that badgers prey on hedgehogs. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    They are wild animals and belong in the wild. They add nothing good to gardens and derive no benefit from being fed, particularly when the 'feed' is kitchen scraps and dog food. It is better for them and us, and hedgehogs, if you discourage contact.
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