hedgehog habitat

[GCN lova]

hi

does anyone know how to attract hedgehogs to my small garden? i know we have them in our area. my garden is just begining to be turned into a wildlife garden but i dont want to do anything expensive.

GCN lova

[CharlieCreek]

You don't have to anything expensive to make the garden a good place for the hogs to visit.

The main things are:

leave some areas to go wild, long grass and what we might call weeds. A log pile or two is good as it provides habitats for many insects and becomes a hedgehog food larder. Planting some shrubs around the edge is a good thing.
In autumn keep some piles of leaves.

Leaving some water out for them in a small bowl will help them and you can also leave out some dry dog food (meat flavours), some crushed peanut nibs (unslated), sultanas, sunflower hearts if you want to. If you do put them under something like an upturned storage box with a 4 inch hole in the side for access and place it in a quiet shaded corner of the garden. This keep cats etc out of the food.

Things to keep them safe:

Please: Don't use pesticides or slug pellets. If you have garden netting make sure it is at least 12" off the ground. If you have a pond make sure it has at least one shallow side that they can get out of. Look out for anything that may topple on a hog, e.g. propped up slabs etc. Make sure that drains have covers.

You may find the hogs come through your garden in the middle of the night but if you put food out and it goes then you will know you have.

[momji1971]

Great advice. One more addition and this sounds a bit obvious but seen it so many times. Make sure the hogs can get in!

Been asked so many times why does my garden have no hogs and then seen the garden surrounded by panelled wooden fences with concrete bases.

regards.
Stu.

[tigertom]

I have hedgehogs in my garden a lot and have had a few young ones this year, I do put food out for them plus birds on feeder spill loads hearts and nuts which hogs like but I do have untidy garden with logs pile at back with branches laid over them and have made holes under fence for them see pics, yours may not need to be as untidy as mine but think log pile is something they will like.

[Hedgehoggy]

Perfect habitat for hedgepigs, tigertom. Love your garden

[tigertom]

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

Perfect habitat for hedgepigs, tigertom. Love your garden

So do I but I am all ways being told why dont you tidy it, up even once got reported by some one saying I am attracting vermin! council did not agree
the estate I live on has loads of hedgehogs go out any night round were live and you will see them if you look, allways have them in my garden I like them. I have had them even come in house when back door was open affter my cats food. have some young ones around at moment. and last winter found two young ones out in snow both under weight at time took them in fed them and got them to a wild life rescue centre near crewe as well hogs get wood mice and loads of birds.

[kathateria]

I remember 2 times,I have seen hogs.Once the dog was going mad,by the door.I thought maybe a cat was in the garden.On opening the door,the cork boot/shoe cleaner was there,but there were 2! I went back in,with the dog,went to get the torch,but he/she was gone.
Next time,I let the dog out,and he trod on one,as soon as he stepped foot out side! No harm done,to both parties!
My garden is fenced all the way around.So dont rule it out!

[dampflippers]

Even before you think you have hedgehogs, you should always (all year round) have a dish of water available in your back AND front gardens. Just this can be a life saver. a large plant pot saucer is ideal.

There is a great project called Hedgehog Street, where you encourage all your neighbours to make their gardens HH friendly and encourage them to make gaps under fences.
Loads of info on the website, or sign up to be a strret coordinator.
Hedgehog Street Hedgehog Street