Here are some practical tips on how to attract hedgehogs to your garden.

1. Create a Hedgehog-Friendly Habitat

Provide Shelter

Hedgehogs need safe places to sleep, hibernate, and raise their young. You can create suitable shelters by:

• Building a Hedgehog House: Construct or purchase a hedgehog house. Place it in a quiet, sheltered spot, preferably against a wall or fence, and fill it with dry leaves or straw.
• Leaving Natural Debris: Piles of logs, leaves, and brush can provide excellent natural shelters. Avoid tidying up too much, as hedgehogs love to hide in these areas.

Access Points

Ensure hedgehogs can easily enter your garden by:

• Creating Gaps in Fences: Hedgehogs need to roam widely to find food. Make small gaps (about 13cm x 13cm) at the bottom of your fences to allow them to move freely between gardens.

2. Provide Food and Water

Food Sources

Hedgehogs are omnivores and will eat a variety of garden pests. To supplement their diet:

• Set Out Food: Provide a shallow dish of hedgehog-friendly food such as cat or dog food (chicken or meat-based, not fish), unsalted nuts, or specially formulated hedgehog food.
• Avoid Milk: Never offer milk, as it can cause severe stomach issues and dehydration. Instead, provide fresh water in a shallow dish.

3. Create a Safe Environment

Avoid Chemicals

Pesticides and slug pellets can harm hedgehogs:

• Use Natural Alternatives: Opt for organic pest control methods. Beer traps or crushed eggshells can deter slugs without harming hedgehogs.

Pet Safety

Keep your garden safe for hedgehogs by managing pets:

• Supervise Pets: Monitor dogs and cats when they are outside to prevent them from disturbing or harming hedgehogs.

4. Plant a Diverse Garden

Insect-Friendly Plants

Attract insects that hedgehogs love to eat by:

• Planting Native Species: Grow a variety of native plants that attract insects. Hedgehogs will enjoy the insects and other invertebrates these plants attract.
• Creating a Wild Corner: Let a part of your garden grow wild to provide a natural habitat for insects and hedgehogs.

5. Create Water Features

Hedgehogs need water to drink and cool off during hot weather:

• Install a Pond: If you have a pond, ensure it has a shallow end or ramps so hedgehogs can safely drink and climb out if they fall in.
• Provide Shallow Dishes: Place shallow dishes of water around the garden, especially during dry spells.

6. Encourage Natural Foraging

Leaf Litter and Mulch

Hedgehogs forage for insects in leaf litter and mulch:

• Leave Fallen Leaves: Allow leaves to accumulate in some parts of your garden. These areas are great foraging spots for hedgehogs.
• Mulch Flower Beds: Mulch provides a habitat for the invertebrates that hedgehogs feed on.

7. Awareness and Education

Raise Awareness

Help your neighbors understand the importance of hedgehogs:

• Share Information: Educate your community about creating hedgehog-friendly gardens. The more connected gardens there are, the better for hedgehogs.

Attracting hedgehogs to your garden requires creating a safe, inviting environment where they can find food, water, and shelter.

By making small changes and encouraging a hedgehog-friendly habitat, you can enjoy the presence of these delightful creatures while benefiting from their natural pest control abilities.

With a little effort, your garden can become a sanctuary for hedgehogs, helping to support their populations and preserve their presence in our natural world.