Like others, we have badgers passing through between our hives and as yet have had no problems. The badgers seem to be creatures of habit and you can usually see where their usual trails are because of holes in hedges, less growth underfoot and other clues so I imagine when siting hives you need to avoid the trails. If the hives are there first I suspect that stands, especially if on top of paving slabs, will deter them establishing routes too close to hives.