Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s most beloved garden visitors. Apart from being very cute, they’re also fantastic little helpers – eating slugs, beetles and caterpillars that might otherwise damage your plants.
Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s most beloved garden visitors. With their endearing snuffles and gentle nature, spotting one wandering across your lawn at dusk is always a special moment. Beyond their charm, hedgehogs are also hardworking allies for gardeners, happily munching on slugs, beetles, and caterpillars that would otherwise feast on your flowers and vegetables.
Unfortunately, hedgehog numbers have been falling in the UK due to habitat loss, busy roads, and increasingly tidy gardens that leave little room for them to forage and shelter. But the good news is that even small changes in your outdoor space can make a huge difference. By making your garden more hedgehog-friendly, you’re not only giving these delightful creatures a safe place to thrive, but also creating a more balanced, wildlife-rich environment for yourself to enjoy.
Here are some simple, practical ways to encourage hedgehogs into your garden:
1. Create a Hedgehog Highway
Hedgehogs can roam up to a mile in a single night in search of food and shelter. You can help by cutting a small hole (about 13cm x 13cm) in the bottom of your fence or gate to connect your garden with your neighbours’. This “hedgehog highway” allows them to move around safely without being forced onto roads.
2. Leave Wild Corners
Hedgehogs love areas with natural cover. A quiet, untidy patch of your garden with piles of leaves, twigs or logs provides excellent shelter and a hunting ground for insects. Avoid tidying every corner – sometimes a little mess is best!
3. Offer Shelter
You can buy or make a hedgehog house using wood, logs, or even upturned boxes with a small entrance hole. Place it in a quiet, shady area away from direct sunlight and disturbance. This gives hedgehogs a safe spot to nest and hibernate.
4. Provide Water
Hedgehogs need to drink, so a shallow dish of fresh water is perfect. Avoid leaving out milk – despite the myth, it can make them very ill.
5. Safe Gardening
Check long grass and leaf piles carefully before strimming or mowing. Cover drains, and if you have a pond, make sure there’s a shallow edge or ramp so hedgehogs can climb out if they fall in.
6. Supplement Their Diet
While hedgehogs will forage naturally, you can help them by leaving out food. Specialist hedgehog food is best, as it’s designed to meet their nutritional needs. Alternatively, you can offer plain meaty cat or dog food (not fish-based).
At Hildreth’s Garden Centre, we’re passionate about supporting wildlife. That’s why we stock a range of nutritious hedgehog food, perfect for keeping your prickly visitors happy and healthy. Next time you’re visiting, pick some up and do your part in helping hedgehogs thrive in your garden.
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