How to create a hedgehog haven

Lynne Garner is a writer who has run a hedgehog rescue centre from her back garden for 20 years. She explains how to encourage hedgehogs into your garden

Over the last decade it’s estimated we’ve lost a third of our hedgehog population. The exact causes are unknown, but suggested reasons include habitat loss and reduced food supply. Thankfully anyone who owns a garden can supply exactly what is needed: food, water and shelter. If you would like to help your local hedgehogs here are a few simple to follow tips.

A safe food source:

A hedgehog’s main food sources include worms, slugs, snails and ground dwelling beetles. Unfortunately many of these are seen as the gardener’s enemy and a continual chemical war is waged against them. These chemicals can cause problems for hedgehogs. So try other methods of keeping the ‘enemy’ at bay, for example introducing ladybird and lacewings. A great source for chemical free pest control products can be found at: www.greengardener.co.uk

If you would like to increase the hedgehog's food source, create a log pile. As the logs slowly break down a host of insects will move in, providing a valuable food source. During extreme weather food can become scarce, so offer additional food. Suitable foods include: specially formulated hedgehog food, tinned cat or dog food (avoid fish flavours) or make your own. Simply mix chopped/crushed unsalted peanuts,  dried mealworms, sultanas and sunflower hearts. To stop other animals eating the food create a feeding station. Place a paving slab on some bricks, leaving a gap between two of the bricks as an entrance.

A safe water source:

If you have a pond, this will act as a good watering hole. Although hedgehogs can swim, a pond with steep sides is a death trap. So add an escape ramp or slightly redesign to add a shallow end. If you do not have a pond, add a ground level water feature, or just leave out a fresh bowl of water each night.

Shelter:

Hedgehogs like cover, they like to forage under low hanging bushes and weave through long grass. So add plants that provide this cover rather than a garden that is simply decking and plants in pots. You could also provide a purpose built hedgehog home. There are a number on the market but have a go at making your own. Plans can be found on the British Hedgehog Preservation Society's website: www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk These should be placed somewhere sheltered and quiet. You never know, a hedgehog may hibernate in there or during the breeding season it may become a nursery for a litter of hoglets and their mother.

Once you have created a hedgehog haven you will also have to think about the way you care for your garden. So precautions you should take include:

• Checking long grass and bushes before you cut them
• Keep netting at least 15cm/6" off the ground. If you are unable to, get into the habit of checking first thing every morning to ensure prickles have not become entangled.
• Never stab a garden fork into a compost heap
• Check bonfires carefully before you light them
• Keep shed and garage doors closed at nights so hedgehogs do not move in or become trapped.
• If you do use slug pellets then remove all dead or dying slugs and dispose of safely.

If you would like to support your local hedgehogs:

• Join www.hedgehogstreet.org and become a hedgehog champion – you can also encourage your neighbours to become involved.
• Become a member of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
• Off your garden as a rehoming site to a local hedgehog rehabilitator. A database can be found on the BHPS website.