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THE A-Z OF MAKING YOUR GARDEN
HEDGEHOG FRIENDLY |
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The first thing to do is walk around your garden and have a good look at it. Make a mental note of all the cosy, dry sheltered places where a hedgehog might like to nest in future and try to leave those places alone. And if there aren't any places like this in your garden, leave a small corner to get overgrown and make it a wildlife sanctuary.
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All barbed wire should be at least a foot above the ground, and never left trailing or discarded on the ground. If a hedgehog manages to become impaled on a spike, it will curl into a ball instinctively and become enmeshed.
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Piles of dry leaves, twigs, wood and garden waste are irresistible to hedgehogs looking for a nest or some dry shelter. Ideally a bonfire should only be built on the day you are going to light it, so that hedgehogs do not have a chance to go to sleep underneath it, if this is not possible either: store your rubbish in a separate location from where you intend to burn it or check the bonfire by carefully turning it over before you set it alight. Please be particularly careful when accumulating rubbish for 5th November.
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| Chemicals (Pesticides and Herbicides) |
The use of chemicals in the garden kills much wildlife indiscriminately. Many pesticides and herbicides contain poisons that are deadly to hedgehogs. Slug pellets contain metaldehyde that will kill hedgehogs and birds.
Unless the manufacturer states otherwise, all pesticides
(including ALL slug pellets) are poisonous to animals.Even if the hedgehogs don't eat the pellets directly, they are likely to feed on the snails and slugs that eat the pellets. If the resident hedgehog population is not keeping these pests under control an alternative could be to use a "beer-trap". Or water your garden in the evening and then when it is nearly dark simply go round and pick up the slugs and snails. Doing this for a few consecutive evenings can eliminate most of the slugs. Soapy water is good for spraying aphids and other insects and there is a wide selection of safer insect killers on the market. Read the packet carefully and always mix according to the instructions. Or why not try natural repellents like marigolds or peppermint plants. If you really must put down slug pellets, please pick up all the dead slugs each day.
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A compost heap is a favourite sleeping place for hedgehogs; but they can easily be hurt by a garden spade or fork when working the composting matter. Break the heap down carefully and if you find a nest of hedgehogs (or any other animal), leave them alone. They will move of their own accord.
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All drain holes should be covered - this will stop leaves blocking the drain and hedgehogs falling into it.
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If there is a pit or tray of old sump oil, a hedgehog is likely to fall into it. They are also likely to investigate open tins of paint or other liquids so always replace the lids.
If a hedgehog does get covered in oil, paint or tar,
please call the centre so that we can treat the hedgehog.
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Please check for sleeping hedgehogs before using these tools.
Mowing and strimming long grass and using hedge trimmers near to the ground can cause severe injuries to hedgehogs. Sometimes hedgehogs will snuggle down unnoticed into tall grass and can be caught with blades and strimmers. When cutting long overgrown areas, initially cut to about a foot high, and then check for hedgehogs and other wildlife before cutting any lower. If you provide a suitable nesting or hibernating box, this can prevent accidental disturbance.
Click here to see the effects strimmers can have**
**WARNING: You may find these images distressing
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| Netting and other potential traps |
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All garden netting is hazardous to hedgehogs as it can act as a snare as the twine gets caught around the hedgehog's spines. If a hedgehog gets caught in netting or another potential trap (4-pack rings, etc.) it is unlikely to be able to remove itself. As it struggles to escape, the strands can form ligatures around one of the hedgehog’s limbs, and these can act as a tourniquet Hedgehogs are naturally inquisitive, so do not leave empty cans, plastic cups, containers or anything else lying around that may trap them. Keep all netting and string arrangements a foot above the ground and never leave it lying around.
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Dogs are the only animals that regularly injure hedgehogs. Keep your dog under control at all times, and if your dog finds something worth barking at in the garden, find out what it is. Both the hedgehog and dog are likely to get hurt in the conflict.
If a hedgehog does get attacked by a dog,
please call the centre so that we can treat it.
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| Ponds and other water Hazards |
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Hedgehogs can swim very well, but if they cannot escape from a pond they will become exhausted and drown. Make sure that any hedgehog can get out of a pond by making a bank with a gentle slope; or hang a length of plastic-coated wire over the edge to make a good escape ladder. Check ponds daily.
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Hedgehogs are frequently killed by rubbish, so always ensure that your garden is clear of it. Cover dustbins and tie up refuse sacks so that the contents do not blow away. Hedgehogs can get their heads stuck in empty cans, yoghurt pots and other cartons - flatten them before throwing them away. Also hedgehogs love to nest in black plastic sacks - check any open ones before throwing them away.
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Do not decide to keep doors closed that have previously been open for weeks without first checking that a hedgehog has not made a nest inside. Hedgehogs also regularly nest under sheds and outbuildings and are often injured when the shed is demolished or moved, so always check for hedgehogs by lifting the floor carefully. If you can, postpone moving the shed until October when the hoglets should have left the nest, but hibernation may not have started.
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Leave a flat piece of wood about a foot square floating in the swimming pool. If a hedgehog falls in it can swim to the 'raft' where it can wait for rescue - Please check swimming pools daily.
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Many wood preservers are poisonous and will harm hedgehogs as they frequently lick freshly treated fences. Ask for an environmentally safe water-based product from your garden centre.
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