Hedgehog Ticks

[dampflippers]

Hi,
There is more info on the websites in my signature (they aren't my sites).

If there are a number of ticks, I would suggest that you find a hedgehog carer near you who can help with removal. It can be quite a stressful operation if there are lots of ticks so may be best done in a couple of sessions.
If you use oil, don't "douse" the hedgehog. Just a small drip on the end of a paint brush or pipette, but this is best only on the tiny ones because of the risk of regurgitation mentioned before.

You will find list of carers on the BHPS website British Hedgehog Preservation Society - Hedgehog Carers and also on hedgehog help website Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue - Get in touch with one and have a chat.

[CharlieCreek]

A few ticks on a hedgehog isn't a big problem, however a large number of ticks does cause issues for hogs. If you see a hog with a lot of ticks on it then if you can capture it (wear gloves), pop it in to a high sided box in a dark warm place with something to hide under like old blankets or some straw and give it a bowl of water. Then give a local hedgegog rescuer a call. The BHPS carries a list of numbers on their site or search for hedgehog rescue in your area.

As someone said Olive oil and basically drowning the tick can cause reguritation, so they are best got rid of with a tick remover but it takes time and can be quite tricky to do as they will try to ball when they feel the tick remover. We only use Olive oil if the ticks are way down in the ear where we cant get to them.

White bits on a hedgehog can be mites (of which there are quite a few different ones that affect hogs) or flystrike (flys egs) which normally indicate a larger issue as the hedgehog if it has flystrike is being out during the day.

[pattie may]

It seems the hedgehog didn't like being messed with. No sighting for two nights. I have at least two hedgehogs visiting the garden. The food I put out in the evening is being eaten late at night. Food put out later is eaten during the night. Not sure who's eating it. Hedgehog house is being used at night too but it seems there's no-one home in the day time.

[CharlieCreek]

I dont know if you are but if you pop the food inside something like a hamster house (the type that is like an upturned bowl - kind of like an igloo in shape with a tunnel entrance, pet shops sell them), then that stops larger animals from taking the food and maybe pop a little sand around it and then you can see what tracks are there in the morning.

[pattie may]

Thanks for your advice - CharieCheek - as you have been off the air for a while I'll fill you in on my involvement with hedgehogs (sorry to others who know).

Two years ago I pick up a tiny hedgehog (about three weeks old - 120 grams) and thankfully hand reared him and then the following spring he was released at over 1000g.

Since then I have had many hedgehog visitors in my garden. My husband built a house (occupied both winters and occupied now). Second one under contruction.

I put food out every night. (CJ hedgehog food, Gardman bites, mealworms and this week mealworm plus by Gardman. It under a large unturned plastic container with two holes cut in the side.

Hopefully I can't do anymore for my visitors.

[pattie may]

The hedgehog house seems empty during the day and is occupied for some time during the night. How do I know? I put a stick across the doorway and it's still in place when I go to bed. Hedgehogs eat food when it is still in place.

I decided this morning to check the house (empty?) for ticks. When I opened the lid and moved the hay and leaves inside I realized a hedgehog was in there.

Shout at me now. I took out the sleeping hedgehog. It was the one with all the ticks. He woke up and moved about. I put him on the work surface in my laundry and decided to remove the ticks. I used a tick remover and got every head and legs for every body. I removed 30. There are still a few small ones on him.

I've put him back in the hedgehog house with a dish of food and he seems to have stayed there.

I hope I was right to removed him from the house and the ticks from him.

[dampflippers]

Yes I think you were. I had one with 40 and it was looking thin and bedraggled so it must take alot out of them. I kept him and fed him up in a pen.
Did you change the bedding? I would have done so and burnt it or bagged it and put it in the bin to get rid of any other ticks..
If it had been actually hibernating I wouldn't have disturbed it because I wouldn't have been able to wrap it up again properly.

[CharlieCreek]

Thirty tics would be an issue for a hedgehog, they basically end up anemic, so removing them was a good thing to do.

What you are doing sound brilliant Patty with the hedgehog homes and fantastic on rearing the juvenile and releasing.

At the moment we have 3 hedgehog homes all occupied with over wintering hedgehogs in our secure garden area with another 1 to come from another rescuer to join them to overwinter so the fourth hog house will have to go out soon.

We have three autumn juveniles inside at the moment all in the 200 grams region, one sadly with some issues and he is on antibiotics and anti-inflamatories.

Sadly last week we lost an autumn juvenile who was in a very poorly way and he went into convulsions on Sunday and died in my hands after being with us for a couple of days. Also lost two other patients who came in (adult hogs) because people often leave it far too late to contact rescuers such as ourselves. This was the case with all of these - people had watched them outside for a couple of days in daylight before contacting us.

So anyone who helps hogs in any way gets a big thumbs up from me.

[pattie may]

Thanks for your kind words. I was a bit worried about what I did.

A hedgehog is definately eating the food (several poos about). Hope it's the tickless one. Been busy the last couple of nights but keeping a vigal tonight. Checking the food every fifteen minutes or so. Looking through window in conservatory at feeding station. Hoping for a sighting.