Credit Tom Marshall
How to help hedgehogs!
Small steps to help save the hedgehog
To save the hedgehog, we need people to work together with neighbours to make small changes that will make a big difference. This is crucial because no garden or green space can help hedgehogs in isolation, but when they are linked together, hedgehogs can thrive in any location.
Here are some simple steps everyone can take together:
How else can we help hedgehogs?
There are other ways to help too!
Avoid pesticides
Ditch the slug pellets and avoid the use of pesticides. Hedgehogs are natural "pest" controllers and need a plentiful and varied supply of invertebrate prey to stay healthy.
Make water safe
Hedgehogs are great swimmers but can sometimes struggle to climb out of steep sided ponds and many drown. Provide a ramp from a plank wrapped in chicken wire or create shallow areas at the edge so they can scramble out.
Provide nesting sites
Log and leaf piles, wilderness areas and purpose-built hedgehog homes make great places for hedgehogs to nest and hibernate. Fallen leaves also make the perfect nesting material, so make sure you don't clear all these away.
Grow a wide variety of plants
Attract plenty of natural hedgehog food by keeping your garden diverse with a wide variety of habitats such as ponds, log piles, hedges and a wide range of plant types. Don't be afraid to let your grass grow a little wild and leave some leaf litter - as both are important homes for the hedgehog's prey.
Beware of dangers
Check for hidden hedgehogs before lighting bonfires, strimming and mowing the lawn. Keep plant netting, tennis nets and household rubbish above ground level to prevent entanglement.
Hedgehog - Jon Hawkins, Surrey Hills Photography