All about Badger Fencing

Electric fencing remains one of the best ways of keeping badgers out of gardens, sports pitches, golf courses and other sensitive areas. Badgers can cause significant damage when searching for worms, grubs and other food sources, often leaving behind dug-up lawns, torn turf and unwanted latrine sites.

The two main types of electric fencing for badgers are electrified poultry (or rabbit) netting or a multi-strand wire system; in the case of badgers, four fence lines close to the ground are sufficient. On first setting up an electric fence to keep badgers away, it is important that the fence is used 24-hours a day. Some energisers have the ability to reduce power after dark so, if you have one of these energisers, make sure that the night-time setting is switched off. The reason for this is obvious, since badgers are primarily nocturnal.

Badgers are creatures of habit and very inquisitive, so they will almost definititely investigate the new badger fence within the first 24-48 hours. Over the first 2-3 weeks, badgers will repeatedly investigate the electric fence, looking for ways to get through or around. During this time, they will receive a number of electric shocks and, eventually, they will abandon the territory or access route in favour of somewhere less painful. If you should find that the badgers are not investigating the fence line, or you would just like to make sure, you can 'bait' the fence using meat, jam or peanut butter to encourage the animal(s) to take a closer look.

Keeping badgers out is easier than you might think. At Electric Fence Online, we offer a range of proven badger fencing solutions to help protect gardens, crops, ponds and other vulnerable areas. Choose from electric netting, temporary fencing systems or permanent electric badger fencing to suit your property and requirements.

Nets to keep out badgers 

Electric netting can be a really useful way to keep badgers out of areas where they’re causing trouble. Poultry or rabbit netting works well because the smaller mesh at the bottom helps reduce gaps where a badger might try to squeeze through. You don’t necessarily need a tall fence either – rabbit netting at around 65 cm high can be enough. Badgers spend most of their time down on all fours, with their noses close to the ground as they sniff out grubs, worms and anything else edible. They’re opportunistic feeders, so if there’s something worth eating on the other side of your fence, they’ll certainly have a good sniff around to find it!

The following items are recommended for a netting badger fence:

1. A powerful solar energiser is recommended to provide reliable power wherever it’s needed. See below for an overview of recommended energisers with the number of possible nets
2. connect the green connection cable with crocodile clip from the energiser to the earth stake. Install the required number of earth stakes according to the specifications of your chosen energiser (keep earth stakes at least 3 m apart). You can find this information on the energiser’s product page.
3. Earth stake + mounting adapter or energiser stand
4. Red connection cable with crocodile clip connects the energiser to the fence wire
5. Poultry netting or rabbit netting can work well for badgers, as the smaller mesh at the bottom helps reduce gaps. The height isn’t particularly important, so a lower netting of around 70 cm can be enough for this type of fence.

Temporary/mobile fencing to keep out badgers 

If you only need to protect an area temporarily, a low four-strand electric fence can be a simple and flexible option. There’s no need to build a tall barrier – the aim is to put the wires where a badger is likely to come into contact with them as it approaches. It can be particularly handy for protecting vegetable patches, poultry areas or other spots where badgers have started to take an interest. And because it’s temporary, you can move it around or take it down when you no longer need it.

The following items are recommended for a temporary badger fence:

1. We recommend using a relatively powerful energiser, such as the mains energiser shown in the image, to deter badgers effectively. A night mode can also be useful, as badgers are mainly nocturnal. Below, you’ll find a list of energisers we recommend for badger fencing.
2.  Connect a lead-out cable or crocodile-clip wire from the energiser to the earth stakes.
3. Install the required number of earth stakes according to the specifications of your chosen energiser (keep earth stakes at least 3 m apart). You can find this information on the energiser’s product page
4. Connect a lead-out cable or crocodile-clip wire from the energiser to the fence
5. Posts between 2 and 3 ft high are usually sufficient for badger fencing, as badgers stay close to the ground. We recommend Gallagher Hobby Posts Terra (75cm / 2ft 5in). Starting from the bottom loop and working your way up, the wires will be positioned at heights of 11 cm, 18 cm, 25 cm and 38 cm. Or go for sturdy plastic or steel posts. They’re easy to install and can be moved if needed
6. Polywire connectors can be used to create a small loop in the wire and attach it securely to the ring insulator. Simply make a loop in the wire, fit the connector and attach it to the loops on the posts
7. A polywire such as the Gallagher Vidoflex 9 TurboLine Polywire 400 m is a good choice for badger fencing. We also have a range of other polywires in different thicknesses and colours, so you can choose the one that best suits your setup

Permanent fencing to keep out badgers 

If badgers are a regular problem, a permanent four-wire electric fence can give you protection all year round. We recommend using high-tensile steel wire or stranded steel wire for a permanent badger fence. The wires are kept low to the ground fixed to sturdy wooden or metal posts using high-tensile wire. Once it’s in place, there’s no need to keep putting it up and taking it down. Thus making it a good choice for protecting areas such as poultry runs, gardens or crops where badgers are likely to keep coming back.

The following items are recommended for a permanent badger fence:

1. We recommend using a relatively powerful energiser, such as the mains energiser shown in the image, to deter badgers effectively. A night mode can also be useful, as badgers are mainly nocturnal. Below, you’ll find a list of energisers we recommend for badger fencing.
2.  Connect a lead-out cable or crocodile-clip wire from the energiser to the earth stakes.
3. Install the required number of earth stakes according to the specifications of your chosen energiser (keep earth stakes at least 3 m apart). You can find this information on the energiser’s product page
4. Connect a lead-out cable or crocodile-clip wire from the energiser to the fence
5. Use a corner insulator at the start of each wire and at the end of each wire
6. use a short piece of wire with connector clips to connect each fence wire, ensuring the electrical pulse is carried across all the wires
7. Metal or wooden posts are both good options for a long-lasting and durable electric fence against badgers. They provide a sturdy base for your fence and are well suited to permanent installations
8. For metal posts, screw-on rod insulators are a good choice. For wooden posts, ring insulators work well and are easy to install. Put the wires at heights of 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm and 40 cm from the ground
9. Use galvanised metal wire (also called high tensile wire), as it is durable, highly conductive and well suited to badger fencing
10. Corner posts can benefit from easy roller insulators. They can be easily screwed into wooden posts and allow the wire to move slightly as it expands and contracts with changes in temperature
11. For permanent fencing wooden fence posts are recommended. Posts between 2 and 3 ft high above ground are usually sufficient for badger fencing, as badgers stay close to the ground

What energisers are suitable against badgers 

We're here to help

We hope we’ve given you plenty of useful tips to get you started. If you’ve got any questions, feedback or just want to chat through the best fencing setup against badgers, we’re always happy to help. Drop us a line at [email protected], we’d love to hear from you!