How to make your garden safe for hedgehogs

One of Britain’s favourite wild animals has been hit by a drastic decline in population over the last 20 years, with numbers falling by a staggering 75 per cent due to habitats being destroyed by housing developments.

Now the tradespeople responsible for new housing are urging home owners to give the creatures a better chance by turning gardens into safe havens, declaring Hedgehog Awareness Week from May 4 to help these stalwarts of wildlife.

Gardens are a vital resource for the animals, according to hedgehog specialist nurse Sharon Jacobs from Tiggywinkle’s Wildlife Hospital.

“We urge gardeners to take care when mowing or strimming,” she said. “Injuries are caused from this activity that can be easily avoided by checking the areas before starting.”

Anyone mowing a lawn is urged to check first, as hedgehogs love the long grass and could easily be sleeping or hiding. They should also “mow slowly” to give them a chance to get away in good time.

A guide has been put together by the My Builder trade organisation on how to make gardens hedgehog friendly, with advice from providing access between gardens to even building a hedgehog house.

It suggests leaving some part of the garden to grow wild to provide a natural food source and nesting place, allowing dense plants such as nettles and wildflowers.

Avoid using pesticides or slug pellets, it adds, which are harmful to hedgehogs that feed on slugs.

Hedgehog houses are easy to make with a few bits of timber, a hammer and some nails. The entrance should be around 5 by 5 inches, with a space inside about 14 by 14 inches, 10 inches high, and left unpainted, it suggests. 

Hedgehogs are nocturnal and roam up to a mile or so each night. They need outdoor areas to explore, with small holes left at the bottom of garden fences or a channel dug underneath. Better still, replace fencing with a hedge for easy access and shelter.

More details are available at mybuilder.com/blog/help-for-hedgehogs