5 ways to help Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are in decline in the UK, but by making our gardens more hedgehog friendly, we can help them! Here are some dos and don'ts to consider for our prickly pals.
1. Hedgehog Highways
1. Hedgehog Highways
Help hedgehogs move around the neighbourhood gardens by making small (13cm x 13cm) holes in fences or walls at the edge of your garden, or by creating a similar sized space for hedgehogs to pass under.
It goes without saying - always ask permission from your neighbours before you start cutting holes into fences or walls.
2. Gardening Guidance
2. Gardening Guidance
Let it grow, let it grow! Leave a small area of your garden to grow wild, the hedgehogs will love it. A slightly wilder patch of garden can attract more invertebrates for the hedgehogs to eat and provide them with somewhere to hide.
Avoid the use of pesticides or poisonous chemicals that could harm hedgehogs or other garden visitors, such as slug pellets. Slugs are a favourite food of hedgehogs, and poisoned slugs are toxic to them. Consider trying natural alternatives instead.
Remain hedgehog aware throughout the year – check in covered areas (such as under bushes and hedges) before using the strimmer, as hedgehogs can sleep under here during the day. Also remember to check compost heaps before turning them over, and bonfire piles before setting anything alight, for resting hedgehogs.
3. Making a Safe Space
3. Making a Safe Space
Raise any netting in your garden above the ground, to avoid any entanglement with your spiky visitors. Add ramps to ponds so hedgehogs and other wildlife can get out of the water easily and safely.
Keep an eye out for plastic litter that can sometimes blow into gardens from streets, as this can be harmful for hedgehogs.
Don't allow dogs into the garden while you have hedgehog visitors, as dogs can attack them. Check the coast is clear first, or consider taking your dog out into the garden on a lead until the hedgehogs have moved away.
4. A hog home
4. A hog home
Place a hedgehog house in a quiet corner of your garden. These can be purchased from a range of different stores, or you can even have a go at building one yourself!
Close shed doors if usually left open, or cover entrances to sheds without checking for hedgehogs first, as they could end up stuck.
5. Hungry Hogs
5. Hungry Hogs
Offer meaty hedgehog food (available in most pet shops and supermarkets!), meaty cat/dog food, or dry cat biscuits. Food can be scattered in a quiet part of your garden to encourage natural foraging.
Don’t offer hedgehogs milk, as this can be bad for them. Place some fresh, clean water outside instead.