Hedgehogs – Gardeners Friend and Pest Control

Posted on 24. Jun, 2009 by Tracey in Pests

Hedgehogs are beneficial creatures to have in your garden. They are solitary, non territorial mammals which are protected in Britain under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Pictured is the hedgehog that appeared in our garden a few weeks ago running as fast as his little legs would carry him away from our two cats who were looking gobsmacked and probably thinking what the hell is that!

The hedgehog then disappeared under my mini greenhouse for protection, which prompted me to actually clean it out so our little friend could get in and out more easily. We have also spotted a baby hedgehog who was foraging in our slug infested shrub borders and then disappeared under our decking.

Hedgehog Facts:

Location: Hedgehogs are found across Europe and in the UK except some of the Scottish isles. They have also been introduced into New Zealand. They have adapted well to urban habitats including railway land, wasteland and public and private gardens.
Diet: They love eating caterpillars, beetles, earthworms, slugs, snails and can travel up to 2 miles a night to find food.
Habitat: Hedgehogs like to nest and hibernate in dry leaves, log piles, compost bin, old piles of grass clippings and under sheds or decks. Their preferred habitat is in hedgerows and scrub where they won’t be disturbed.
Abilities: They have poor eyesight but have excellent smell and hearing skills. They can also swim and climb very well.
Life Span: Hedgehogs can live for 5 years.
Hibernation: They hibernate from late autumn through until April.
Behavior: Hedgehogs are nocturnal and tend to forage for food around dusk.
Young: Hedgehog babies are called ‘Hoglets’ and are born from May onwards and after 8 weeks in the mothers care they leave the nest and wander off on their own.
Human Threats: Bonfires, fireworks, netting, ponds, litter, turning compost with forks, strimmers and pesticides.
Animal Threats: Foxes, dogs, badgers, stoats.

How to make your garden hedgehog friendly

Make sure they can get into your garden under fencing or gates.
Make a separate log pile with a pile of leaves, grass cuttings in a sheltered area of the garden or build a hedgehog house.
Grow shrubs and flowers which attract insects for hedgehogs and other wildlife to feed on.
Feed them by placing a plate of tinned dog or cat food (not fish based), cat or dog meat flavoured biscuits or cooked meat leftovers out at sunset and collect in the morning if not eaten. Leave out a bowl of water as well. Avoid milk and bread as it makes them ill.
Hedgehogs love unmown lawn edges as they can find insects in the grass to eat.
Do not use slug pellets containing Metaldehyde in your garden, these are potentially fatal for hedgehogs, try gardening organically by using beer traps instead.

Very Useful Hedgehog Links:-