Hedgehog Housing
Article: Hedgehog Housing Creating a Cozy Haven Hedgehogs can roam up to two kilometers in a single night, making your...
Hedgehogs can roam up to two kilometers in a single night, making your garden one stop on their grand adventure. But if you would like to encourage them to stick around, and maybe call your yard home, offering the perfect environment is key. Below, we will look at both natural and manmade housing solutions, and how to make your overall space hedgehog-friendly.
Compost Heaps & Leaf Piles:
Undisturbed areas such as compost heaps, leaf piles, and log stacks provide excellent nesting and foraging sites. Make it a habit to check piles for hedgehogs before mowing, strimming, or burning.
Wild Corners:
Hedgehogs thrive where there is shelter and insects. Avoid over-tidying every patch of your garden. A few wild, slightly overgrown corners can be perfect hideouts and breeding spots.
Hedgehog Houses:
Purpose-built boxes (often sold as “Hedgehog Houses”) can be placed in shaded or quiet areas of the garden. Fill these with a bit of straw or dry leaves for bedding.
Access Points:
Ensure there is a 13 cm (about 5 inches) gap in fences or walls so that hedgehogs can come and go freely. A connected neighborhood of gardens is a hedgehog highway.
Placement:
Place the house against a wall or fence with the entrance slightly out of direct wind. The house should be above ground level or with decent drainage to avoid flooding.
Water Safety:
If you have a pond, consider adding shallow edges or ramps to help hedgehogs climb out if they fall in.
No Harmful Chemicals:
Pesticides and snail or slug pellets can poison hedgehogs, or wipe out their insect food supply. Look for natural pest control methods instead.
Reduce Hazards:
Cover drains or holes, and raise netting or anything that hedgehogs might become entangled in to at least 30 cm (12 inches) above the ground.
By offering a safe haven, both in terms of physical shelter and a welcoming environment, you provide hedgehogs with the resources they need to rest, forage, and raise hoglets. Simple changes like leaving wild areas, providing a dedicated hedgehog house, and avoiding harmful chemicals can make an immense difference. Transform your backyard into a cozy retreat, and you might find these spiky garden guardians moving in for good.
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Proudly registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in the UK, Lucky Hedgehog Rescue is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured, sick, and orphaned hedgehogs.
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