IS YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS HEDGEHOG FRIENDLY?
1 HELP WITH NESTING PLACES A purpose-built hedgehog house in a quiet spot will give your garden guests a luxurious nest site.
2 CREATE EASY ACCESS
Ponds supply insect prey and drinking water. The best design has a sloping gravel ‘beach’ for the hogs.
3 ESTABLISH A WILD AREA
A tussocky patch is a perfect daytime nesting area. Sow part of your lawn with native grass and wildflowers. 4 PROVIDE LEAFY BEDDING Piles of dead leaves left after autumn can be used for nesting.
5 CULTIVATE A COMPOST HEAP
Decaying garden waste supports nutritious creepy crawlies. Choose an accessible spot for your compost mound and don’t cover it up.
6 MAKE THROUGH ROUTES
Cut 13cm x 13cm holes in your fences at ground level. Hedgehogs need to be able to roam for food.
7 GIVE NATURAL SHELTER
A wood pile provides abundant insect food together with a sheltered spot to start a family.
8 AID THE GREAT ESCAPE
Make small tunnels underneath fence panels to give hedgehogs access to neighbouring gardens.
9 OFFER A MEAL
Supplement natural foods with meat-based cat or dog food, crushed unsalted peanuts and mealworms.
10 PREVENT DROWNING
If a neighbour’s pond has steep paving sides, suggest they add plants or a ramp so hogs can escape.