Badgers have torn through my polytunnel - HELP

maggienetball · Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:35 pm

Absolute devastation on the allotment this weekend.

Our polytunnel has been torn through by a badger/s. I have never seen such terrible damage. There's a massive hole in both end doors and all the sides have been ripped open.

I am presuming badgers because I know they are close to us on the allotment and because the damage is so severe. The tunnel has been up for 3 seasons and we've never seen damage ike this before. I think the problem is that the wasteland to one side of the allotments was developed this year and the badgers have no uncultivated ground of their own any more.

Anyway, we are going to mend the tunnel asap but would like to try to prevent further damage. We can't stop the badgers coming onto our plots but does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can stop them attacking our tunnel.

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Enormous Sage · Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:26 pm

I found this website (from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust) though it seems to tell you more about things that don't work, than those that do.

They suggest that the only really effective method is an electric fence!

marshlander · Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:40 pm

We'd have Badgers here and had them at the old house; never suffered anything like you have though!

I wondered if your local Badger Group could help.

Thurston Garden · Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:40 am

Damage like that would make me really, really unhappy

An electric fence might be the order of the day assuming it is badgers?

maggienetball · Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:56 am

We're not allowed fences, electric or otherwise on our allotment. Insurance stipulations. I am pretty certain it's badgers. We know they are nearby to us and there are no foxes. Too big and too much damage for a cat, far too big for birds.

I was thinking of fixing boards around the bottom of the tunnel (say 2ft) ontop of the plastic (when repaired). Does anyone think that would help.

We ARE really really unhappy about this. Our polytunnel ensures year round growing for our group, and as it's 24ft long and the damage is down the full length of one side and both doors, it's going to cost to repair.

I guess I'm asking for preventative ideas. My friend told me to put women's urine (has to be female) around the tunnel as this is a deterent to badgers. Anyone ever heard of this?

I'm also really concerned that the badgers afre now invading our plot. There could be continuous damage to our crops (badgers can eat through your sweet veg really quickly). I feel positive this has started because their wilderness has built built on.

marshlander · Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:32 pm

Visited friends today with similar problem. He's thinking of using wire netting up the sides and well dug in to stop them digging under.

Any thoughts?

maggienetball · Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:09 am

I think they'll rip straight through the fencing.

Also metal fencing (chicken wire etc) may heat up in the sun and damage the wall of the tunnel?

Personally, my tunnel is buried quite deep so they would have trouble getting in that way but it might be useful for your friend.

I'm thinking now that, when mended, I'm going to attach wood panels to the lower half side of the tunnel and doors. I'm trying to prevent further damage, so I'm thinking 2 1/2 feet high? I'm worried about lost light though.

Does anyone think this will work?

The Riff-Raff Element · Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:01 am

I am told that badgers find the scent of proper creosote repellent. You could try painting the boards with this. But it is grim stuff to work with. Would you be allowed to place an electric fence strand just around the tunnel - say a few inches away from the wall or would that also contravene the rules on fencing the allotment?

I have also heard that the repellents used to drive dogs and cats off gardens can work, so maybe a perimiter of this could help?

If you have power up there you could try a few security lights with movement dectors to alarm them, but how long that would work when there are tasty crops to be had...who knows.

Maybe a combination of the above?

marshlander · Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:06 am

The Riff-Raff Element wrote:I am told that badgers find the scent of proper creosote repellent. You could try painting the boards with this. But it is grim stuff to work with. Would you be allowed to place an electric fence strand just around the tunnel - say a few inches away from the wall or would that also contravene the rules on fencing the allotment?

I have also heard that the repellents used to drive dogs and cats off gardens can work, so maybe a perimiter of this could help?

If you have power up there you could try a few security lights with movement dectors to alarm them, but how long that would work when there are tasty crops to be had...who knows.

Maybe a combination of the above?

Security lights don't keep them out of ours but there not causing probs here.

Like the idea of cat repellant - how about one of those thins that spits water or lion poo?

I'll pass the wire mesh thoughts back, though.

marshlander · Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:14 pm

I've just read my previous post; I didn't mean gadget that spits

poo!

maggienetball · Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:30 am

I have just ordered replacement plastic to patch with. The company were very sceptical about our patching success. They didn't feel we could stick the plastic together. I thought matbe silcon sealant or contact adhesive? What do others think? We really can't afford a new "skin".

larkrising · Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:57 pm

Would it be feasible to lay a food trail to a more manageable spot away from your polytunnel. If you all brought food when you go to the allotment it would give you some breathing space to decide on the best course of action.

hedgewizard · Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:09 pm

Patching - you probably want to use proper polytunnel repair tape which you can get from Northern Polytunnels; put the patch on the outside with a board held on the inside to keep everything flat until the tape is on. Once that's done, straighten the inside bits out and tape the edges there too.

Preventing the damage recurring is hugely important since badgers are creatures of habit - if they establish a regular run through the tunnel you won't be able to stop them with anything short of iron mesh. Netting won't do it, as they're strong and determined. In other words, the tunnel isn't defensible.

Unfortunately you're right; the badgers have had to change their runs because of the development - the only thing you can do is to put food down repeatedly elsewhere to try to tempt them to re-change the runs. Badgers have been here for a lot longer than people so please don't view them as the invader; it's us who threatens their homes, not the other way around.

There's a charity called Badgerland that specializes in this sort of problem - check them out; http://www.badgerland.co.uk/