Why Your Garden Matters for Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s most beloved garden visitors, but their numbers have fallen sharply in recent decades. In rural areas, populations have halved since the turn of the century, and even in towns and villages the decline is worrying. The good news is that our gardens can be genuine sanctuaries. A single garden can offer food, water, shelter, and a safe route to neighbouring green spaces. By making a few thoughtful changes, you can turn your outdoor space into a reliable haven for these spiny travellers.

Create a Hedgehog Highway

Hedgehogs roam up to two kilometres a night in search of food and mates. Solid fences and walls stop them in their tracks, fragmenting their territory. The solution is simple: a 13cm by 13cm gap at ground level in every boundary.

• Cut a square hole in the bottom of a wooden fence, or lift a couple of gravel boards.
• Under gates, leave a gap of at least 13cm. If the gap is too large, fit a small tunnel or a piece of pipe of the same diameter.
• In brick walls, remove one or two bricks to create a permanent opening.
• Check existing gaps — many gardens already have a natural hole under a shed or behind a bush. Keep it clear of leaves and debris.
• Chat with neighbours. A continuous series of connected gardens becomes a hedgehog highway, and it costs nothing.

Make sure the hole is not blocked by netting or plant pots. Hedgehogs can climb a little, but they cannot squeeze through gaps smaller than 13cm. A quick evening check with a torch will show you where they are already moving.

Provide Safe Shelter and Nesting Spots

Hedgehogs need somewhere dry, quiet, and safe to sleep during the day and to hibernate in winter. A wild, untidy corner is perfect.

• Log piles: Stack logs loosely and leave some leaf litter around the base. This attracts beetles and other prey, and provides a hidden nest site.
• Leaf piles: Rake autumn leaves into a corner and leave them. Hedgehogs will burrow in.
• Compost heaps: These are warm and full of worms, but turn them carefully. Fork the top layer first and look for nests before digging deeper.
• Hedgehog houses: A purpose-built wooden box with a tunnel entrance works well. Place it in a shaded, quiet spot, with the entrance facing away from prevailing wind — often south or east. Line it with dry leaves or hay, but never use straw, which can harbour damp and mould.
• Under sheds: If your shed sits on a concrete base, leave a small gap at one corner. Otherwise, raise it slightly on timber battens to create a dry cavity.

Avoid disturbing nests between November and March, when hedgehogs hibernate, and during May to August, when they breed. If you accidentally uncover a nest, cover it back gently and walk away.

Offer the Right Food and Fresh Water

A hedgehog’s natural diet is rich in beetles, caterpillars, earthworms, and slugs. You can encourage these prey by leaving leaf litter, avoiding pesticides, and allowing a patch of long grass. But supplementary food helps, especially in dry summers or before hibernation.

• Meat-based cat or dog food in jelly is ideal. Choose chicken, turkey, or beef. Avoid fish, gravy, or anything with added sauces.
• Hedgehog food sold specifically for the purpose is also fine, but check the ingredients — meat should be the first listed.
• Never give bread and milk. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant; milk causes diarrhoea and dehydration. Bread fills them up without nutrition.
• Mealworms are a treat, not a meal. Too many can lead to brittle bones. Offer only a small pinch alongside proper food.
• Fresh water in a shallow dish is essential, especially in hot weather. Clean it daily and place it away from the food to avoid contamination.

Feed after dusk and remove any leftovers the next morning to avoid attracting rats. If you see a hedgehog out in daylight, it is likely in trouble — contact a local wildlife rescue for advice.

Garden Safely for Hedgehogs

Everyday gardening habits can be dangerous for these gentle creatures. A few precautions will save lives.

• Check before strimming or mowing. Hedgehogs curl up when threatened, so they do not run away. Walk the area first, especially around long grass and borders.
• Ponds: Add a gentle ramp or a piece of wood at one edge so hedgehogs can climb out. They are good swimmers but tire quickly.
• Netting: Keep it at least 30cm above the ground, or choose a rigid mesh that cannot trap legs or spines. Fruit netting is a common hazard.
• Slug pellets: Avoid them entirely. Hedgehogs eat slugs and can be poisoned indirectly. Use nematodes, copper tape, or hand-picking instead. Beer traps can also drown hedgehogs, so cover them or skip them.
• Bonfires: Rebuild the pile on the day you light it. A hedgehog can be hiding inside a pile that has stood for days.
• Drains and holes: Cover any open drain or deep hole with a mesh grid. Check before filling.

Leave a wild corner with long grass, a log pile, and fallen leaves. It may look untidy, but it is a hedgehog’s favourite place. With a little planning, your garden can become a small but vital part of the British countryside — and you may be rewarded with the soft rustle of a hedgehog at dusk.