Hedgehogs are brilliant organic pest control for the garden. They eat slugs, snails and insects which enjoy making a meal of your flowers and plants.
Everyone loves to see a hedgehog, but sadly their numbers are in decline in the UK despite them being protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. They are particularly vulnerable as we prepare to ‘Remember remember the fifth of November’ as they are looking for somewhere to hibernate and can fall victim to Bonfire Night celebrations.
Creating a hedghog house can be built using logs, bricks or even an old wooden box with a tunnel entrance. Ideally, the home should be placed in a quiet, shady spot. Further to this, you can leave a gap at the bottom of boundary fences and keep a secluded corner of your garden where Wildlife can hide. A leaf litter pile can also be constructed from four posts in the ground with chicken wire wrapped round. Leave a good-sized gap at the bottom with wires safely bent round and tucked away. Addionally, you could also create a box for a hedgehog to hibernate during autumn/winter.
It's also worth noting, that if you can, leave the corners of your garden to grow wild with logs, leaves and compost heaps. These can also provide a place for shelter and food.
If you see a hedgehog out in the daytime it could be a sign of distress. Put it in a box and keep it in a warm place with some paper or towels and provide food and water before contacting a hedgehog rescue place.
A hedgehog highway can also assist access and mobility for the hedgehogs to travel through gardens.
You can do this by cutting a 13cm x 13cm hole in the base of your fences.
Should you want to help feed these hogs, offering them the correct types to avoid them from falling ill. It's recommended to give them meaty cat or dog food (not fish based), crush cat biscuits or specialist hedgehog food. Avoid bread and milk as this can upset their stomachs (as they're lactose intolerant) along with salty or sugary foods.
You can also leave out fresh water daily using shallow dishes around the garden.
If you're looking to mow or strim your lawn, always check under long grass or under shrubs before you proceed.
Any open drains or holes should be covered as hedgehogs can fall in and get trapped.
If you're having a bonfire, build it as close to lighting it as possible to minimise the possibility of a hedgehog crawling inside. Check and restack the pile to ensure nothing is hiding underneath. Check when strimming, mowing and clearing leaves and vegetation too.
Look out for litter. It can be very harmful to wildlife.
Keep your pets in check. Dogs can be harmful to hedgehog, it's advised to supervise them especially at night, when hedgehogs are active.
For further information and advice, visit British Hedgehog Preservation Society
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Written by Lawn Master Head Office. 25 Years of Professional Lawn Care Services
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